Liverpool player ratings as seven dreadful in desperate Atalanta defeat

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool reacts after Mario Pasalic of Atalanta BC scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Quarter-Final first leg match between Liverpool FC and Atalanta at Anfield on April 11, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai reacts after Mario Pasalic Atalanta's third and final goal in their shock 3-0 win over Liverpool at Atalanta -Credit:Stu Forster/Getty Images


Liverpool have left themselves an uphill task to salvage their Europa League hopes following a dreadful performance against Atalanta.

Two goals from former West Ham United forward Gianluca Scamacca and one from Mario Pasalic consigned a much-changed Reds to a desperate 3-0 home defeat in their quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

And here's how the ECHO rated Jurgen Klopp's men on an evening when they posted their worst display in a very long time.

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Caoimhin Kelleher 5

Saved efforts at either end of first half from Pasalic and Koopmeiners but allowed Scamacca shot through him for opener. No chance with Atalanta second and spilled shot for third.

Joe Gomez 4

Limitations going forward were exposed the longer the game progressed and defensively started to show signs of struggle after the break.

Ibrahima Konate 4

Brought the ball forward several times first half but unable to do anything with it. Lack of decisiveness didn’t help a wayward defence settle after the break.

Virgil van Dijk 5

Had hands full with De Ketelaere for periods first half and rarely allowed to settle. Tried to keep things together during a tough second period.

Kostas Tsimikas 5

Decent enough opening on return to starting line-up but began to give ball away before interval and clearly targeted by Atalanta. Subbed.

Wataru Endo 4

Kept a close eye on Pasalic early doors which occasionally meant dropping in between the two centre-backs. However, looked tired and overwhelmed far too often. Subbed.

Curtis Jones 5

Good pass created opening for Nunez but lack of sharpness glaringly apparent at times on first start in two months. Subbed.

Alexis Mac Allister 4

Marked tightly throughout the first half and unable to find too much space in which to play, and didn’t help himself after break with succession of misplaced passes.

Harvey Elliott 5

Playing on the right flank, struggled to make an early impact until hitting woodwork twice with same shot. Subbed.

Darwin Nunez 4

Missed good early chance and lacked conviction in parts of his first-half performance, and spurned another opportunity after break. Subbed.

Cody Gakpo 6

Began strongly with forceful runs down the left but soon became bogged down in the midfield scrap. Moved to the centre for the final half-hour and became a little lost.

SUBS

Dominik Szoboszlai (for Jones 46) 3

Had one shot blocked early on but looked way off the pace and lost ball for third. Not his best night.

Mohamed Salah (for Elliott 46) 5

Forced a save from Musso but otherwise couldn’t work his way into game. Sent late header over.

Andy Robertson (for Tsimikas 46) 6

At least brought some energy to Liverpool’s attacking efforts down the left.

Luis Diaz (for Nunez 60) 4

Another unable to make any positive difference.

Diogo Jota (for Endo 76) 6

Nice to see him back.

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