Liverpool 'lost the plot' as Klopp concedes Reds face a mountain to climb against Atalanta
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool "lost the plot" after a 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta left them on the brink of elimination from the Europa League.
Europa League Sport News
West Ham left with tough task after defeat to Bayer Leverkusen
West Ham were breached by two late goals as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen strike late to take control against Hammers
West Ham were breached by two late goals as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Bayer Leverkusen. The Hammers had defended heroically for 83 minutes before goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was finally beaten by substitute Jonas Hoffman. A one-goal deficit might have given David Moyes' side hope going into next week's second leg at the London Stadium, despite facing a side unbeaten all season. But disaster struck in stoppage time when a second substitute, Victor Boniface, headed home Hofmann's cross, to leave West Ham's hopes of a third consecutive European semi-final looking horribly slim. A yellow card for Lucas Paqueta, ruling the Brazil international out of the second leg, only adds to the task facing the east Londoners. The Hammers, without injured top scorer Jarrod Bowen and defensive midfield linchpin Edson Alvarez through suspension, were almost undone in the seventh minute when Josip Stanisic's wayward shot was flicked towards goal by Patrik Schick but the ball went straight to Fabianski. But Leverkusen were given a warning of West Ham's prowess on the counter-attack moments later when Michail Antonio outstripped Jonathan Tah on the left wing and produced the best chance of the first half. The burly frontman squared the ball to Mohammed Kudus, but the Ghana winger's first-time strike was comfortably held by Matej Kovar. However, West Ham were largely camped in their own penalty area and Fabianski palmed away Jeremie Frimpong's curler before Exequiel Palacios's drive was deflected over. Paqueta's over-enthusiastic challenge on Amine Adli earned him his booking - the Brazilian survived a red card check - and provoked a mild skirmish on the touchline. Fabianski might have
Jurgen Klopp brands Atalanta defeat a 'low point' in Liverpool's season
Jurgen Klopp called Thursday's 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta a "low point" in Liverpool's season as their Europa League hopes were left hanging by a thread. Liverpool looked flat throughout the quarter-final first leg and ended the night perhaps fortunate Atalanta had not taken one of the many late chances they had to add to a lead given to them by Gianluca Scamacca's brace and a late Mario Pasalic goal. Harvey Elliott hit the post in the first half and Mo Salah had a goal ruled out for offside in the second, but Liverpool lacked the spark needed to beat a well-organised Atalanta side, who will be confident of finishing the job next Thursday in Bergamo. Before Klopp can think about that match, he must lift his players for Sunday's visit of Crystal Palace in the tight battle at the top of the Premier League table. "It was a really bad game, oh my God," Klopp said after Liverpool's first home defeat in nearly 14 months. "We started well, really well and then didn't continue. They broke, they scored and we just lost the plot a little bit.
Atalanta ransack Anfield to leave Liverpool's Europa League dreams on life support
Lacklustre Liverpool were stunned 3-0 by Atalanta in a Europa League quarter-final collapse that could prove to be Jurgen Klopp's last European night at Anfield. This competition offers the chance to bring the curtain down on his German's reign with a European trophy on May 22, but their hopes of making the Dublin showpiece are in jeopardy. Liverpool lacked creativity and coherence in the first leg of a quarter-final that Atalanta are in complete control of heading back to Bergamo thanks to Gianluca Scamacca's brace and a late Mario Pasalic goal. It represented the Reds' first Anfield loss since falling to Real Madrid last February and compounded the Premier League hopefuls' potentially costly 2-2 draw at bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday. Harvey Elliott had hit the woodwork before Scamacca's first-half shot squirmed past Caoimhin Kelleher, who was beaten again by the former West Ham striker after Liverpool had started the second half brightly. Livid Klopp bellowed and waved his arms as he called on fans to lift the flat Anfield atmosphere, but this was Atalanta's night and Pasalic wrapped up an unforgettable triumph for the visitors. The warning signs had been there for Liverpool from the start. Elliott appeared to be fouled but Atalanta were allowed to continue forward in the third minute, with the ball eventually falling for Pasalic to take a shot from six yards that Kelleher saved with his face.
Jurgen Klopp warns Liverpool to be wary of 'super dangerous' Atalanta in Europa League
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp asked his side to be ready for a "super-disciplined" Atalanta when they meet in the Europa League quarter-final at Anfield on Thursday.
Europa League: Unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen put treble bid on the line against West Ham
Bayer Leverkusen put their unbeaten season and their treble ambitions on the line when they host West Ham United in a Europa League quarter-final first leg tie on Thursday night.
Key trio Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker back in frame for Liverpool's Europa League clash with Atalanta
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker being involved in Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta on Thursday.