Liverpool FC has a mountainous hill to climb against Atalanta BC, as they eye to earn qualification in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Currently, Liverpool are down with three-goals, after Atalanta dominated their first leg. With that, Liverpool needs to overcome those three-goals, and win by huge margin to advance. However, Liverpool are currently winless in their last three matches, which will not help with their aims here. Meanwhile, Atalanta are confident coming into this match, as they have with a huge advantage here. Atalanta‘s dominance in the first leg gives them a huge chance of entering the semi-finals of the contest. The meeting between these two teams is on April 19, 2024, at 3:00 AM (GMT+8).
Liverpool FC
Liverpool’s recent poor form has led to a run of four straight away games, with the Reds now averaging four goals in their road fixtures in the 2023-24 season. The Reds have gone nine games without a clean sheet in all tournaments, and their last road loss was against Chelsea in April. The Reds’ recent profligacy has led to their worst enemies, Atalanta, hoping for their visitors to be their worst enemies once again. Manchester City currently leads the top-flight crown, with some Reds fans declaring the title race a foregone conclusion. Liverpool’s inconsistent performance over the past year suggests a resurgence is possible, with their only previous visit to Atalanta in the 2020-21 Champions League ending in a 5-0 success. Liverpool’s recent profligacy and the potential of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez could be key factors in their success.
Liverpool will face a strong backline without young right-back Conor Bradley, who overstretched his foot in the loss to Palace. Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to start after recovering from a knee injury, while Stefan Bajcetic has not been summoned. Other players like Ben Doak, Joel Matip, and Thiago Alcantara remain out.
Atalanta BC
Atalanta returned to England for a three-year reunion with Liverpool, who they defeated in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, led by Gianluca Scamacca and Mario Pasalic, managed to win 2-0 behind-closed-doors, despite Jurgen Klopp’s team’s wastefulness. Liverpool’s joint-heaviest European home defeat came from two players who failed to perform in the Premier League. No other team has won both of their first two continental away matches against the six-time European champions. Despite Liverpool’s penchant for breathtaking turnarounds, no Europa League/UEFA Cup team has ever been eliminated from the tournament after winning the first leg of a knockout tie by at least three goals away from home.
Atalanta’s defensive ranks were weakened before the Anfield defeat, with Giorgio Scalvini and Sead Kolasinac injured. However, experienced Dutchman Marten de Roon returned for the weekend’s Verona visit, leaving only Scalvini absent. De Roon will join Berat Djimsiti and Isak Hien in a three-man defensive wall. Davide Zappacosta is also back from a Serie A ban.
Prediction:
Liverpool FC (2.0)
Odds: -0.84
Atalanta BC to win on 2-4 aggregate
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