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If Jurgen Klopp looks for him, the Liverpool manager can find some mitigation here.
Perhaps a nine-game streak in just over five weeks to a depleted team finally took its toll?
Perhaps the growing number of absentees was too much to overcome this time around?
Perhaps it was asking too much of an inexperienced defense with two teenagers and a Champions debutant to deal with a team that reached the quarter-finals of this competition just a few months ago?
But while all of the above could justifiably be used as a case for Liverpool’s defense, Klopp will do no such thing.
No, the Reds boss is much more likely to have the theory that his team just wasn’t good enough against the same players they defeated a few weeks ago in Bergamo.
As he said immediately after the game: “We have to admit it was a deserved loss. It doesn’t sound good, but it was the truth.”
The wild celebrations by the full-time Italians proved what this meant, as the door to Group D was kept ajar for what will eventually be seen as a famous victory at Anfield.
If the jarring 7-2 loss at Aston Villa in October was an abnormal anomaly, then this was as bad as it has been for some time. He really was so desperate.
The fact that Liverpool have walked away from a stadium where they are 64 games unbeaten in the Premier League without a single shot on goal exposes the shortage of what was on offer.
Fortunately, fans who are within walking distance of finally re-entering their historic site were spared from this.
The Reds, from the first whistle, lacked inventiveness and creativity, particularly without the winger forces of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, who belatedly joined the fray with their team one goal less.
Klopp opted to trade it for the visit of Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, making five changes in total, placing Rhys and Neco Williams in the bottom four alongside Joel Matip and Kostas Tsimikas on the left back.
The series of changes from that thrilling performance against Leicester quickly became apparent as a disjointed home team created next to nothing during an uninspired first period.
Mohamed Salah, back with the team after a coronavirus outbreak, fired the hosts’ only shot of the first 45 minutes over the bar at the end. That was the closest they got all night.
With Divock Origi back on the side, the Reds failed to rack up any real momentum in the final third as the Belgian leader spent much of his time being taken out by the Atalanta defense.
It’s a funny place Origi is in at Anfield right now.
The signings of Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino along with the resurgence of Xherdan Shaqiri mean that Origi is less likely to appear this season.
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The onus is on him to take advantage of his limited opportunities. Here he could not catch the flight. This listless hour leaves Klopp with more questions than answers about his long-term suitability for a supporting cast role.
Origi was one of the casualties when Klopp made a rare quadruple substitution. It was one he was planning seconds before they lagged behind Josip Ilicic’s goal.
Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Robertson entered with Salah, Gini Wijnaldum and Tsimikas making their way.
Liverpool’s arduous task was made even more difficult when Robin Gosens made his way home after being released from the penalty area moments later.
It was a quick hit that brought down the hosts. This time there was no way to get up.
This defeat, although regrettable, is not terminal. Liverpool still have control over Group D, even if the dominance was loosened overnight to forget.
* Who was your MOTM against Atalanta? Take our quick survey here.
What previously threatened to become an impregnable advantage has been made even more difficult by this result and Ajax’s 3-1 win at home to Midtjylland.
Suddenly, the visit of the Dutch team takes on a major significance next week at a time when Klopp will have hoped to rest, rotate and recover for his exhausted and injured team.
Fortunately, the whistle tour that is this season’s group stage means Liverpool can fix things in just six days when Ajax visits.
A draw will be enough to do it, but maybe a performance is due.
Liverpool’s name will likely remain on the hat when the draw takes place in Nyon on December 14, but they will have to improve. Also by some margin.
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