Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (3-1 agg): Player ratings

Anfield Watch

·18 April 2024

Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (3-1 agg): Player ratings

Liverpool’s Europa League journey is over after they were dumped out in the quarter-finals by Italian side Atalanta on Thursday night.

Despite winning 1-0 on the night, the damage had already been done for Liverpool in the first leg at Anfield a week earlier, with the Reds losing 3-1 on aggregate.

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Jurgen Klopp’s side came to Bergamo with a huge mountain to climb - and the evening started well.

Mohamed Salah gave the Reds the lead after just seven minutes when the Egyptian converted from the penalty spot.

Teun Koopmeiners then had the ball in the net for the hosts after 40 minutes, but his strike was ruled out for offside.

This set up a big second half for the Reds, who needed two goals to take it to extra time. However, Klopp’s substitutions didn’t pay off, and the visitors rarely looked like scoring at all. Ultimately, the Reds crashed out of Europe with a whimper.

Here are your player ratings from northern Italy...

Klopp offers verdict on out-of-form Salah after Atalanta defeat 35 mins ago by Daryl Finch

Liverpool favourite questions team's belief during Europa League exit 2 hours ago by Daryl Finch

Jurgen Klopp says one Liverpool player was 'absolutely insane' last night 2 hours ago by Alex Caple

Alisson (GK): 8

Pulled off a superb reflex save off his own man early on (although, ultimately, it didn’t count because of an offside). Operated almost as an outfield player at times with some very good buildup play coming through him as he approached the halfway line. Made a good save from Koopmeiners on the hour mark, holding it too.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): 7

Did well to quickly recycle possession and draw the penalty with an early cross that was handled in the area. In fact, it was his pass that started that move, too. Showcased his excellent passing range in the first half but visibly started to tire after the break on what was his first start since February. A pity he had to go off just when his side needed him most.

Ibrahima Konate (CB): 7

Had his hands full all night with Gianluca Scamacca, especially as Alexander-Arnold drifted into midfield. Stepped up intelligently to play Koopmeiners offside when the Dutchman thought he levelled the scores on the night.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 6

Suffered a dislocated finger in the opening minutes and that seemed to rattle him. The captain gave away quite a few uncharacteristic fouls and, when presented with an open goal (albeit from just inside his own half), he completely miskicked the ball. Not his best night.

Andrew Robertson (LB): 6

Found himself frequently in unfamiliar attacking positions as part of the Reds’ tactical set-up as he was tracked all over the pitch by Davide Zappacosta. However, the veteran Italian definitely won that battle.

Alexis Mac Allister (DM): 7

Very calm and composed in possession in a deeper role but was rarely in a position to showcase his creativity.

Dominik Szoboszlai (CM): 6

A sloppy pass shortly after the Reds took the lead almost put his team in trouble, but for an offside coming to the rescue. Frequently found himself in a lot of space down the right, but not a lot of what he attempted came off. Replaced by Harvey Elliott a little after the hour mark.

Curtis Jones (CM): 6

Guilty of giving the ball away several times in the opening exchanges. Improved as the game went on but was unable to impose himself on the game. Perhaps surprising that he played the full 90 minutes.

Mohamed Salah (RW): 6

Excellent composure to send the keeper the wrong way with his early penalty. Played a lot more centrally, dragging his man-marker with him and creating more room for Szoboszlai to operate down the right, but wasn’t terribly effective. In fact, he missed a sitter while clean through on goal in the 39th minute, lobbing the ball miles wide of the target. Missed another good chance early in the second half but was spared his blushes by the flag. Hooked after 65 minutes.

Cody Gakpo (ST): 6

Led the line intelligently for the Reds on the night, holding up the ball and getting involved in the build-up play. A nice flick sent Luis Diaz through on goal early in the first half and he teed up Salah for his (offside) chance with a nice back-heel. Finished the game at left-back as the Reds went for broke.

Luis Diaz (LW): 5

Picked up a yellow for dissent for complaining that he would have been through on goal but for Isak Hien’s yellow card. He may have had a point, too. Otherwise, the Colombian had a very quiet evening and could have no complaints about his withdrawal.

Luis Diaz Liverpool Fc looks dejected, UEFA Europa League 2023/2024 - Quarter-Final, Atalanta vs Liverpool Fc, Gewiss Stadium, April 18, 2024, Bergamo, Italy.