Liverpool fall short in comeback attempt as Jurgen Klopp says European farewell with Salah’s strike not enough to beat Atalanta
There was one way to get Atalanta nervous – and that was finding the net early on. Liverpool did just that through Salah. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross was blocked by Matteo Ruggeri’s arm and the Reds were handed a spot-kick.
Salah claimed responsibilty and he struck clinically to reduce his side’s deficit to two. Klopp’s side did not stop there as they swarmed on their Italian opponents, with their attacking intent clear from the off. Salah should even have scored a second before the break but somehow lifted an effort miles wide of goal.
Liverpool looked as though they were set to double their lead shortly after Salah’s goal as Luis Diaz was released in-behind. It looked as though the Colombian would race through one-on-one.
Isak Hien stuck out an arm to halt the ball in its tracks as it bounced up. Understandably, most of the Liverpool side appealed for a red. However, the referee was not too convinced and only brandished a yellow.
Hien stayed on the pitch. And as a result, Liverpool might point to that incident as a turning point given if he was off the pitch, they might have been able to score two further goals and level the tie.
Despite looking very bright in the early stages, Atalanta soon managed to stem the tide of Liverpool attacks. After the break, the Reds looked a completely different prospect and did not create anywhere near enough to threaten a comeback.
There was a clutch of balls in-behind and some promising exchanges, but nothing that could be labelled as a golden chance. This is a problem that is starting to cost Liverpool.
Klopp’s side have scored just one goal in their last three games. They must rediscover their creativity – and soon – if they want to remain in the race for the Premier League.
It’s official, Jurgen Klopp has managed his last European game as Liverpool boss. But, what a ride it was for the Reds. Three Champions League finals – one victorious.
There was also a Europa League final there too. There is also those memorable comebacks against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona at Anfield.
While Klopp wasn’t able to stage yet another heroic comeback, he will reflect on a job well done at establishing the Reds once more among Europe’s elite.