Atalanta take advantage to leave Reds sweating
LIVERPOOL 0
ATALANTA 2
ATALANTA stunned a disjointed Liverpool last night as the Reds missed the chance to secure an early passage to the Champions League knockout stages.
Second-half goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens at Anfield saw the Italians exact revenge for their 5-0 loss to Jurgen Klopp’s side in Italy three weeks ago.
Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool’s starting line-up after his recent positive Covid-19 test but was one of four players hauled off soon after Ilicic’s opener.
Despite a host of injuries, Klopp still named a second-string defence with only Joel Matip remaining from Sunday’s win over Leicester as Neco Williams, Rhys Williams and Kostas Tsimikas all came in to start.
Atalanta capitalised on a weakened side with an impressive display, going closest to an opening goal in the first half when Alisson denied Gosens at his near post. Liverpool were sloppy in possession and failed to muster a shot at goal until Salah fired over the bar a minute before the break.
But things did not improve as Ilicic poked in from Alejandro Gomez’s teasing cross on the hour.
The impressive Gomez was involved again four minutes later, his cross nodded back for Gosens to beat Alisson from close range as Atalanta doubled their lead.
While Liverpool still have work to do to qualify, Manchester City made no such mistake as Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Olympiakos 1-0 in Greece.
Phil Foden (right) netted the only goal in the first half to make it four wins from four in Group C.