Liverpool are again on Europa League obligation on Thursday night, welcoming Serie A aspect Atalanta to Anfield for the primary leg of their quarter-final tie.
Liverpool vs. Atalanta
Europa League Quarter-Remaining First Leg | Anfield
April 11, 2024 | 8pm (BST)
After a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Man United within the Premier League, focus now turns to European commitments.
Liverpool stay the favourites to go all the way in which within the Europa League this season, however Atalanta will present a stern check over two legs.
Right here’s all it’s worthwhile to know forward of the sport.
1. Huge response wanted by wasteful Reds
Sunday’s draw at Outdated Trafford was infuriating, as Liverpool dropped priceless factors within the title race after but extra wasteful ending.
The Reds can’t afford to really feel sorry for themselves, nevertheless, and their European journey continues this week, as Atalanta head to Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp‘s staff will probably be anticipated to progress, however they merely should sharpen up within the last third, following such profligacy of late.
An indignant efficiency could be good, albeit a measured one on the identical time.
2. How are Atalanta faring this season?
Atalanta head to Anfield as underdogs, however they’re a harmful aspect able to inflicting anybody issues on their day.
That being stated, they’re at present languishing in sixth place in Serie A, with Champions League qualification set to evade them.
Atalanta have one away win of their final seven in all competitions, however they’ve misplaced solely considered one of their final 10 fixtures away in European competitors which ought to act as a warning to Liverpool.
Within the final 16, they obtained the higher of Ruben Amorim‘s Sporting CP aspect, which is additional proof of the risk they’ll pose.
3. Who’s injured for Liverpool?
In the end, Liverpool have only a few damage issues to deal with, coming at an ideal time.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Stefan Bajcetic all returned to coaching on Tuesday, appearing as an unlimited enhance for Klopp.
The supervisor was coy on their involvement towards Atalanta or Crystal Palace on Sunday and solely dominated out Bajcetic, so there’s a probability they’re concerned within the squad.
Joel Matip, Thiago and Ben Doak are the one unavailable gamers.
4. Rotation to be anticipated?
Thursday’s recreation is necessary, however Klopp additionally has to have one eye on the Palace recreation, which means a component of rotation is required.
Ibrahima Konate might are available in for Jarell Quansah, relying on who the supervisor desires to face the Eagles this weekend, whereas Joe Gomez can also return to the staff.
Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch are all choices to return into the midfield – Elliott, specifically, deserves a beginning berth after so many good cameos this season.
The assault of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez will possible be damaged up, giving Cody Gakpo a chance to search out some type.
The Dutchman is arguably probably to interchange Nunez.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
5. Who’re Atalanta’s key males?
The person who stands out as a key determine for Atalanta is Teun Koopmeiners, who has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool in current months.
The midfielder is his aspect’s main scorer with 13 targets this season, and his box-to-box capability will probably be an enormous risk to the Reds.
Atalanta will possible deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation, with former Arsenal wing-back Sead Kolasinac marauding down the left flank.
Ederson is one other influential determine anchoring the midfield, whereas Ademola Lookman is a participant who Liverpool followers know from a spell at Everton.
Predicted Atalanta XI: Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Lookman, Scamacca
6. Followers make stand towards ticket costs
The Kop is known for its infinite flags and banners, however issues will look very completely different on Thursday night.
That’s as a result of there will probably be none on show because of the followers uniting towards the membership’s resolution to extend ticket costs.
Liverpool introduced a two p.c rise from subsequent season, scandalously making it seem like a constructive as a result of it’s “the bottom ticket worth rise to this point throughout the Premier League.”
Let’s hope the protests are seen by the suitable folks.
7. Klopp understands resolution to protest
Talking on Wednesday, Klopp urged the protests to not get in the way in which of the gamers and followers, although he understands the scenario:
“It’s only a difficult one from my standpoint. I didn’t even know till the press convention. The opinion is evident we need to have the folks within the stadium and make it out there for everyone.
“We’re a self-sustaining membership, so long as I’m right here I can inform everybody that each pound we earn went immediately again into soccer. It’s not wasted for one thing, there are lots of good issues that the membership is doing like work for the neighborhood, however I perceive 100% the place the supporters are coming from.
“I’m fairly certain they are going to discover a answer in these conditions. It begins with perhaps a protest after which there follows discussions and that’s good. What we should always ensure that of is that nothing will get between us and the supporters.
“Focus on it, you aren’t proud of it, discuss it 100%, however nothing ought to occur between the 2 huge whistles. We simply should be Liverpool and that’s what I’m asking for.
“It could be worse if the flags have been within the stand and nobody else. That was as soon as the case, we have now had that, and we don’t need that once more. This manner is okay, they are going to discover a answer I’m certain.”
8. Do you know?
Liverpool are on the lookout for their 250th European win on Thursday evening, so victory at Anfield will see one more spectacular membership milestone reached.
Ought to they progress, Klopp will set a brand new Liverpool document of reaching 5 European semi-finals in cost at Anfield, going away from Invoice Shankly and Bob Paisley on 4.
In the meantime, Liverpool want simply 5 extra targets to document 550 at Anfield beneath the German – can they attain that feat by the top of the week?
9. Who’s the referee at Anfield?
Halil Umut Meler from Turkey will referee Thursday’s recreation, with the 37-year-old exhibiting 15 yellow playing cards and one purple in 5 Champions League video games this season.
His solely Europa League match was AC Milan’s 4-2 win at residence to Sparta Prague final month.
Meler’s assistants at Anfield are compatriots Mustafa Eyisoy and Kerem Ersoy, whereas the fourth official is Arda Kardesler.
In the meantime, Turkey’s Alper Ulusoy is on VAR obligation.
10. Observe the sport with TIA
Liverpool vs. Atalanta is reside on TNT Sports activities 1 from 7pm (BST), with proceedings at Anfield getting underway at 8pm.
Sam Millne is on TIA matchday reside weblog obligation, preserving you entertained and updated with all of the motion from 7.15pm.
Come on you Reds!
