Atalanta knock Liverpool out of Europa League quarters: Key stats
Atalanta have reached the semis of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League season after winning 3-1 on aggregate against Liverpool. The Italian side stunned the Reds 3-0 at Anfield last week in the first leg. Liverpool had to respond and went ahead in Italy when Mohamed Salah scored a 7th-minute penalty. However, the visitors couldn't add anymore goals to the tally and crashed out.
Atalanta thrashed Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield
Atalanta claimed a stunning 3-0 win after the Reds imploded at home. Jurgen Klopp's men 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. Liverpool saw their 33-game unbeaten run at Anfield across all competitions come to an end.
What happened in the second leg?
Liverpool earned an early penalty and Salah made no mistake from the spot after a VAR check. The Reds had their chances thereafter but Salah shot wide and Luis Diaz was denied by the Atalanta keeper. The second half saw both sides test each other but a goal didn't arrive. It was a sheepish exit for Liverpool, who lost the two-legged tie at Anfield.
Here are the match stats
Atalanta made eight attempts to Liverpool's 10. The hosts managed two shots on target with the Reds managing five. Klopp's side dominated possession (71%) and owned an 82% pass accuracy. They clocked 681 passes.
210 goals for Salah in Liverpool colors
Playing his 38th match in all competitions this season, Salah raced to 24 goals. He also owns 12 assists. In the 2023-24 Europa League campaign, the Egyptian forward finished with five goals and three assists. Overall, Salah has scored 210 goals for Liverpool in 343 matches. The former AS Roma star also owns 86 assists under his belt.
Contrasting records for the two teams
Atalanta have lost two of their last 17 home games in the UEFA Cup/Europa League (W10 D5). Before this, their previous defeat was against RB Leipzig in the 2021-22 quarter-final second-leg. The Reds have won 4 of their 5 away matches versus Italian opposition in all competitions (L1).
Liverpool could go trophyless for a second successive season
Liverpool exited the quarters of the FA Cup in a 4-3 defeat to Manchester United. They have now bowed out of the Europa League in the last-eight stage. Meanwhile, the Reds have slipped in the Premier League standings with an impetus handed to Manchester City.
