Europa League: Liverpool vs Atalanta
Preview: Liverpool vs Atalanta
Liverpool vs Atalanta will come off at Anfield on Thursday at 7:00pm as both teams head into a tough quarter-final Europa League tie. In the previous round, Liverpool scored an impressive 11 goals against Sparta Prague, while Atalanta BC narrowly defeated Sporting Lisbon.
Liverpool finished at the top of Group E with four wins and two losses, achieving their biggest European aggregate victory in over forty years by defeating Sparta Prague 11-2 in the Round of 16. This will be Liverpool’s eighth appearance in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup/UEL, eight years after their last such appearance.
Fans may recall their memorable quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund in Jürgen Klopp’s first season, where a 91st-minute goal by Dejan Lovren led to a remarkable 4-3 comeback. Anfield will be hoping for another unforgettable European night in this upcoming match. The first match will take place in Merseyside this time, giving the reds the opportunity to take the lead as they have won 12 out of their last 16 European home games, with 2 draws and 2 losses.
Gasperini’s team, on the other hand, remained unbeaten in Group D with four wins and two draws, and secured a 3-2 aggregate victory over Sporting in the previous round. The away side has a strong record in the UEFA Europa League, having lost only three out of 28 matches, with 16 wins and 9 draws. These results have all been achieved under the management of Gian Piero Gasperini, who has led the team to just two defeats in their last 17 European away games, with 8 wins and 7 draws.
Head-to-head
These two teams faced each other during the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the 2020/21 season. Liverpool won 5-0 in Bergamo, but Atalanta retaliated with a 2-0 victory at Anfield 20 days later. This upcoming match will be the third meeting between the two teams.
Prediction
Fans can anticipate an intense clash between two teams known for their commitment to fast-paced attacking football. However, the away side has struggled in recent weeks, particularly in their away matches. While the reds’ defensive weaknesses may provide opportunities for Gasperini’s team to score, they could also face challenges from Klopp’s team, who will arrive in Italy with a comfortable lead to defend in the second leg.
