Player Ratings as Liverpool Crash Out of the Europa League | OneFootball

Atalanta 0 – 1 Liverpool: Player Ratings as Liverpool Crash Out of the Europa League

This Thursday night contest could not have garnered too much confidence for the travelling support, given the three-goal deficit and unlikely comeback required. The urgency and performances were tired and at no point did a real comeback look on the Liverpool cards.

The line up and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 7.0

The returning Brazilian made a brilliant one handed save to keep the reds at 0-1 on the night, with his world class abilities shining bright when called upon. His handling throughout the remainder of the half was on point and he once again showed his importance. In the second half the former Roma keeper was needed on more occasions to stop Atalanta from scoring, as chances came on the counter.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 8.0

The England superstar started after his return from injury and showed brilliant positivity from the opening bell. His cross created the penalty opportunity early on and his incisive passing was key to initiating attacks.

Photo: IMAGO

After the restart, the hybrid playmaker was once again desperate to make an impression, yet his time on the pitch had to be reduced due to his continued return from injury.

Subbed – 71 mins

Man of the match

Andy Robertson – 6.0

The Scotland international skipper started in solid form, with a need to balance his defensive and attacking qualities. With a few moments causing concern, the former Hull man was alert of a little too rushed in a frenetic opening half. As the game resumed, the frenzy continued with more and more urgency pushing the legendary full back further up the field.

Subbed – 78 mins

Ibrahima Konaté – 7.0

The France international defender is continuing to start with a view of regaining top form. Some moments of indecision were tempered by his physicality and speed, which was needed to avert disaster in that first period. In the second half the giant defender was keen to push the line as high as possible, with every attacking player keen to surge forward.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.0

The captain and leader of this needed his defensive partners to reach his own world class level for this must win game. With counter attacks always likely, the former a Celtic man was needed on occasions to hold his nerve and ensure the reds-maintained momentum.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7.0

The Argentina World Cup started as the defensive midfielder, with a central and positive impact required. Good moments of breaking up play and smart positioning was apparent in a desperate attempt to score the goals that were needed.

Photo: IMAGO

The game of the former Brighton man was solid and controlled by the stand out midfielder, yet it was not enough to push his team into a true fightback.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.0

The Hungarian skipper began as the right sided midfielder, with a remit to get forward and create chances for the plethora of offensive assets. Unfortunately, the right spaces and control of the home side limited space for the attacking midfield man to burst through as indecision engulfed a desperate away side.

Subbed – 66 mins

Curtis Jones – 6.0

The former under-23 skipper started once more, with a slightly more confident and assured performance through the opening stages, with the odd moment of rust coming to the fore. As the game opened up more and more, he became more the facilitator for his Argentina midfield partner, as formations were replaced with a plethora of strikers.

Luis Díaz – 6.0

The Colombian flyer was unlucky not to double the on the night scores, with a penetrating run almost allowing a one-on-one opportunity. In the first half and into the second, the former Porto man attended and failed with several good chances, with a resilient Atalanta defence holding firm.

Subbed – 66 mins

Cody Gakpo – 7.0

The talented Dutch forward started through the middle, with a determined look to his game from the outset. When the former PSV player moved wider, he looked more confident and comfortable in play. As the second progressed, the impact of the sporadic starter began to wane as the Italians sat in and defended their aggregate lead.

Mohamed Salah – 6.0

The Egyptian King was lively before and after the opening goal, which was dispatched early from the penalty spot. Unfortunately, the desire was not matched by elite technical ability later in the first half, as he failed to put the ball past a stranded keeper. More inconsistent moments grew after the break as he struggled with his back to goal through the middle.

Subbed – 66 mins

Subs;

Darwin Núñez – 5.0 (on 66)

Came on to offer more physical attributes through the centre.

Diogo Jota – 5.0 (on 66)

Came on to

Harvey Elliott – 5.0 (on 66)

Came on to offer more intricate play in the build-up.

Joe Gomez – 5.0 (on 71)

Came on to offer more power.

Jayden Danns – 5.0 (on 78)

Came on to attempt the impossible.

The Manager

Jürgen Klopp – 6.0

The German manager picked a very attacking line up to try and score an early goal, which came by way of a smartly taken penalty.

Photo: IMAGO

The away team’s shape was built upon getting the vice-captain, Trent Alexander Arnold, onto the ball and offer more dynamic creation. Another show of lacklustre endeavour in front of goal prompted a raft of second half substitutes to come on, with more caution thrown to the Italian wind. It did not come.

With so many attacking players coming into the game, it only showed how inept those that started had been. The game was lost a week ago and the away side on this night deserved to progress to the Europa League semifinals.

Pre-match Prediction:

Atalanta 0 – 4 Liverpool

Steven Smith