Atalanta thrash Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in Europa League: Stats
Serie A side Atalanta claimed a stunning 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in their UEFA Europa League 2023-24 quarter-finals first-leg tie. The Reds imploded at home as they were outworked and outperformed in a rare defeat at home. Gianlucca Scamacca scored a brace for Atalanta with Mario Pasalic adding a third in the 83rd minute. Atalanta have one foot in the UEL semis.
Atalanta outwit Liverpool with a 3-0 effort
Atalanta had three shots on target in the first half and scored in the 38th minute. The visitors didn't allow Liverpool the freedom and space. Jurgen Klopp made three changes at half-time as Liverpool upped the ante, creating chances. However, shoddy defending from Liverpool saw Atalanta score in the 60th minute. Despite having less possession, the Italian outfit tested Liverpool and grabbed a third.
Here are the match stats
Liverpool made 19 attempts with five shots on target. Atalanta registered 11 shots out of which seven were on target. Klopp's men had 71% ball possession and an 83% pass accuracy. They clocked over 600 passes.
Liverpool's 33-game unbeaten run at home ends
Liverpool saw their 33-game unbeaten run at Anfield across all competitions come to an end. As per Squawka, Klopp has only lost five of his 43 home games in charge of Liverpool in the Champions League and Europa League proper. Notably, Atalanta have beaten them twice. This was the third European meeting between the two teams (also 2020-21 Champions League group stage).
Scamacca shines for Atalanta
Scamacca is the first visiting player to score two-plus goals against Liverpool at Anfield since Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema both scored braces against them in February 2023. Playing his 7th Europa League match this season, Scamacca owns five goals. He has 13 goals for Atalanta in all competitions this season (A3).
A third defeat for Liverpool in the Europa League 2023-24
Liverpool suffered their third defeat of the ongoing Europa League season. They lost twice in the group stage before this but finished first. Overall, the Reds played their 50th match this season in all competitions (W35 D9 L6).
