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Klopp's Liverpool hoping for a miracle to happen as they confront nemesis Atalanta

Italian giant-killers will look to build on 3-0 advantage and deliver final blow to English outfit at Stadio di Bergamo in second leg of Europa quarter-finals

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Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the press conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League match against Liveroool. - Reuters

By Reuters

Published: Wed 17 Apr 2024, 6:39 PM

Last updated: Wed 17 Apr 2024, 7:49 PM

Jurgen Klopp was headed for a glorious send-off in his final season at Liverpool just a few weeks ago, but talk of a potential quadruple is now long forgotten as the Reds have come off the rails.

Liverpool have a mountain to climb if they are to make the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday after losing the first leg of their last-eight tie at home to Atalanta 3-0.

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Klopp's men were also dumped out the FA Cup by Manchester United last month as the Red Devils edged a thrilling tie 4-3 at Old Trafford.

Liverpool failed to learn their lesson from that defeat as they were held 2-2 by United three weeks later and then stunned 1-0 at home by Crystal Palace in their last two Premier League games to fall two points behind Manchester City in the title race.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was dealt a huge shock when his Reds were beaten 3-0 by the Italian at home at Anfield. - AFP

Italian club Atalanta have a healthy lead from the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final with Liverpool, but the return game at home is still probably the most important match in their history, manager Gian Piero Gasperini said on Wednesday.

Atalanta shocked the Anfield crowd when they came away with a 3-0 victory last week, and now the Serie A side must finish the job in Bergamo in front of their own fans.

"We are happy to play a match of this value in front of our fans, finally with the stadium taking shape," Gasperini told a press conference ahead of Thursday's game.

"We know that it will be one of the most important games in our history, if not the most important, but these are things that are said on the eve of the game, then comes the moment when we will have to know how to isolate ourselves."

Gasperini does not want his players resting on their laurels and thinking that the work is already done when they face Juergen Klopp's side.

"We know the difficulty, for us they are still the same team, despite us winning the first leg," he said.

"Tomorrow we start from 0-0, our ability will have to be not thinking about the result of the first leg, that has to be our goal.

"I expect the best Liverpool possible, with a team that will come here to play all its chances, we will have to play a great game to get a result."

Atalanta captain Marten De Roon believes his side will have more than just the support of the local fans in their bid to reach the semi-finals.

"I don't think only in Bergamo, but I believe that all of Italy will be behind us tomorrow," De Roon said.

"It's a very special game, playing against an important team is really special, we want to do our best, like we did there."

For the home fans, their hopes of seeing their team play in a European final for the first time ever are still very much alive.

"I saw the happiness of the fans after the victory. I think this could be a small dream for all of Bergamo, now it's up to us to make everything even more special by moving on to the next round," De Roon said.

Thursday's fixtures

(Kick-off times: 11;00 pm UAE)

Atalanta vs Liverpool (Agg 3-0)

Marseille vs Benfica (Agg 1-2)

Roma vs AC Milan (Agg 1-0)

West Ham United vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Agg 0-2)

Reuters

Published: Wed 17 Apr 2024, 6:39 PM

Last updated: Wed 17 Apr 2024, 7:49 PM

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