Atalanta took their revenge and had the luxury of winning this Wednesday 2-0 at Liverpool at Anfield. Jürgen Klopp's team, in which, once the coronavirus was overcome, Mohamed Salah returned, was almost unrecognizable against Gian Piero Gasperini's team and could not seal their classification for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The 'reds' won 0-5 at Atalanta's home on November 3.
Klopp not only had casualties but also made rotations and his team carried out one of their weakest performances under the German coach. Liverpool remains the leader of group D, with 2 points more than Ajax and Atalanta.
In four magical minutes for Atalanta (revelation of the last Champions League, in which they reached the quarterfinals), between Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens they spoiled the night for a Liverpool that was already deconcentrated from the beginning and that could not practically nor shoot at goal.
The 'reds', who dazzled in Bergamo, had no chances. Although they tried again and again, they crashed before a firm Atalanta. Klopp's men could not even reach the goal of the Italian team in danger.
A high shot from Salah was one of the little that Liverpool created in attack, against a well-organized Atalanta who did not miss his opportunities. If in the first part Gosens had a clear, the time of the Bergamo team arrived in the second and with Papu Gómez with the leading role.
Thus, Ilicic took advantage of a center from Gómez to put Atalanta ahead in 60. And in 64 ', Papu Goméz's own ball, extended Hans Hateboer and Gosens achieved the second goal for the Italians, which was the final 0 -2.
The situation could not be fixed by a substitute Diogo Jota and when he entered the field he could not change the face of Liverpool, victim of an Atalanta, he played a great game, control, with great security in defense. And a victim of himself.
Liverpool, 0: Alisson; Tsimikas (Robertson, m.61), Matip (Minamino, m.85), R.Williams, N.Williams; Jones, Wijnaldum (Fabinho, m.61), Milner; Salah (Firmino, m.61), Origi (Jota, m.61) and Mané
Atalanta: Gollini; Gosens (Mojica, m.75), Djimsiti, Romero, Toloi, Hateboer; Freuler, Pessina (Miranchuk, m.85), De Roon; Gómez and Ilicic (Zapata, m.70)
Goals: 0-1, Ilicic (60 '); 0-2, Gosens (64 ')
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain). He admonished Tsimikas (58 ') and De Roon (89')
Incidents: Match corresponding to the fourth day of the Champions League group stage played at the Anfield stadium (Liverpool) behind closed doors. A minute of silence was observed for the death of Diego Armando Maradona
The reactions after the death of Maradona