JURGEN’S AT A LOSS NOW
Gamble backfires for gaffer
JURGEN KLOPP’S gamble to play a weakened team backfired as Liverpool crashed to defeat against the side they had thrashed 5-0 in Italy last time out.
The Reds boss had a clear plan to contain Atalanta before he sent on the cavalry for the final half-hour in search of the victory which would guarantee progress to the knockout stages.
But seconds before Klopp was about to throw on his fab four of Andy Robertson, Roberto Firmino, Dioga Jota and Fabinho, Atalanta crafted a delicious opener as all four stood on the touchline waiting to get on.
To rub salt in the wounds, as Liverpool absorbed the four changes and formation reshuffle, the Italians scored again to put the game beyond doubt and avenge the Bergamo humiliation.
Liverpool will now be unable to cruise through their final two group games and Klopp will not be able to give his star names a rest by playing weakened teams. Such a policy proved disastrous here, her with the Italians Itali exploiting space spa in the fullback bac areas where Neco Ne Williams aandn Ko s t a s Tsimikas Ts were exposed. exp
Both B Atalanta goals go came from good go moves down do their left.
First Josip
Ilicic converted a fine cross from Papu Gomez on the hour.
Four minutes later, the impressive Gomez again showed his class with another probing ball that was headed down for Robin Gosens to neatly convert.
Klopp admitted the Italians deserved their win and was just relieved to avoid more injuries ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off away to Brighton in the league.
He said: “It was not a good game. Both teams didn’t create a lot, until they scored the goals.
“A deserved defeat in a difficult game. The ref didn’t whistle a lot and that makes it even more difficult, for both sides. It was unbelievably intense and you need breaks.
“When the first half is gone you usually settle but for some players who didn’t play for a while it was very intense for them.
“We just didn’t find a way in the game.
“We had moments but not real chances. It could happen to other teams. You ask us to go Saturday at 12:30, which is nearly a crime. That is nothing to do with the result but congratulations to you.
“Thumbs up, no injuries and we go again.”
Liverpool are still two points clear of both Ajax and Atalanta at the top of the group.
But defeat against the Dutch giants at Anfield next week will lead to serious squeaky-bum time for the Reds.