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Liverpool’s 100 percent start to the Champions League ended after Atalanta defeated it on Wednesday night.
Second-half goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens earned the Serie A team a 2-0 win in the Champions League Group D match at Anfield.
The Reds had won 5-0 in Italy earlier this month, but their much-changed squad failed to shoot on target in the second leg here.
The national media and other publications had a lot to say about the party, and here is a summary of the reaction …
‘Klopp couldn’t have complained’
Dominic King of the Daily Mail wrote : Jurgen Klopp was in no mood to think about the commotion, as his best laid plans fell apart, but perhaps it had to be.
Under the Anfield spotlights, a broad-shouldered little Argentinian with a silky left foot stole the show. Nobody compares Alejandro Gómez with Diego Maradona, but the symbolism of him starring in a number 10 shirt, the number made famous by the late and lamented genius, could not be missing.
Liverpool, who were aiming to secure a passage to the Champions League round of 16 with two games to spare, were second best all night against rivals they had crushed in Italy in early November and could not contain Gomez .
He created both goals when Atalanta crushed Liverpoo l with two suction cup blows, in the 60th and 64th minute. It was the first time Liverpool had lost a Champions League group stage match at Anfield since October 2014, when Real Madrid thrashed them 3-0.
If this contest had ended with a similar score, Klopp couldn’t have complained. In fairness to the Liverpool manager, he didn’t argue for his team’s lack of efforts. They were unable to record a shot on goal on one of these devices at home for the first time since OPTA began recording in 2003.
‘Liverpool will have to sweat in their last two games’
Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph wrote : Whatever the reasons, the total changes helped Liverpool to abandon hopes of serene progress, and second-half goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens reinvigorated the group. Since they started the night knowing that a victory guaranteed their qualification, Liverpool will have to sweat in their last two games, next week’s meeting with Ajax of particular importance.
Liverpool are still on top and should be fine, but it felt like an unnecessary loss due to a shocking performance. Klopp has stressed how he should keep thinking a game or two ahead. That policy has not failed too often. He did it here. His side did not have a shot on goal.
This was as tame as Liverpool have played in Europe with him, unable to find any rhythm as the disruption of so many disruptions, rarely affecting them domestically, came at a high price. The Italians could have won for more, their celebrations highlighted a famous and well-earned victory.
‘The Liverpool selection was clearly made with Brighton in mind’
Andy Hunter of the Guardian wrote : Klopp prioritized fresher legs in Brighton early Saturday over the best possible chance of qualifying for the knockout phase with two games to spare, two games that would give him many more opportunities to rest tired and fragile limbs. He lost.
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Liverpool didn’t have a shot on goal all night and in truth never seemed to score as Atalanta, humiliated 5-0 at home when the teams met three weeks ago, celebrated manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s 200th game in charge. with a deserved victory that rejuvenated his prospects for progress.
Their Argentine captain, Alejandro Gómez, was at the heart of both goals as the Italians ended Liverpool’s winning streak at Anfield this season and became the first team since Real Madrid in October 2014 to win here in the phase. of groups. “This will be written on the pages of our history,” Gasperini said. “This is perhaps the biggest victory in our history and without a doubt the most prestigious.”
After a moment of silence by the great Diego Maradona, Atalanta made a determined start, clearly determined to amend the 5-0 win and helped in large part by Klopp’s changes. Mohamed Salah returned after his period of Covid-19 self-isolation, but Liverpool’s selection was clearly made with Brighton in mind.
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