Liverpool are again on Europa League responsibility on Thursday night, welcoming Serie A facet Atalanta to Anfield for the primary leg of their quarter-final tie.
Liverpool vs. Atalanta
Europa League Quarter-Last First Leg | AnfieldApril 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 you should know forward of the sport.
1. Large response wanted by wasteful Reds
Sunday’s draw at Previous Trafford was infuriating, as Liverpool dropped useful factors within the title race after but extra wasteful ending.
The Reds can not afford to really feel sorry for themselves, nevertheless, and their European journey continues this week, as Atalanta head to Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp‘s crew might be anticipated to progress, however they merely should sharpen up within the remaining third, following such profligacy of late.
An offended efficiency can 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 facet 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 bought the higher of Ruben Amorim‘s Sporting CP facet, which is additional proof of the risk they will 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, performing as an unlimited increase for Klopp.
The supervisor was coy on their involvement in opposition to 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 vital, however Klopp additionally has to have one eye on the Palace recreation, that means a component of rotation is required.
Ibrahima Konate might are available for Jarell Quansah, relying on who the supervisor desires to face the Eagles this weekend, whereas Joe Gomez may additionally return to the crew.
Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch are all choices to come back 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 seek out some type.
The Dutchman is arguably most definitely to exchange 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 facet’s main scorer with 13 targets this season, and his box-to-box potential might be a giant 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 in opposition to ticket costs
The Kop is famous for its infinite flags and banners, however issues will look very totally different on Thursday night.
That’s as a result of there might be none on show because of the followers uniting in opposition to the membership’s determination to extend ticket costs.
Liverpool introduced a two % rise from subsequent season, scandalously making it seem like a constructive as a result of it’s “the bottom ticket value rise thus far throughout the Premier League.”
Let’s hope the protests are observed by the appropriate individuals.
7. Klopp understands determination to protest
Talking on Wednesday, Klopp urged the protests to not get in the way in which of the gamers and followers, regardless that he understands the state of affairs:
“It’s only a tough one from my viewpoint. I didn’t even know till the press convention. The opinion is evident we need to have the individuals 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 straight again into soccer. It’s not wasted for one thing, there are a whole lot 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 possibly a protest after which there follows discussions and that’s good. What we should always make certain of is that nothing will get between us and the supporters.
“Talk about it, you aren’t proud of it, speak about it 100%, however nothing ought to occur between the 2 huge whistles. We simply need to be Liverpool and that’s what I’m asking for.
“It will be worse if the flags have been within the stand and nobody else. That was as soon as the case, we’ve got 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 in search of their 250th European win on Thursday night time, 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 underneath the German – can they attain that feat by the tip 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 crimson 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 responsibility.
10. Comply with the sport with TIA
Liverpool vs. Atalanta is stay on TNT Sports activities 1 from 7pm (BST), with proceedings at Anfield getting underway at 8pm.
Sam Millne is on TIA matchday stay weblog responsibility, maintaining you entertained and updated with all of the motion from 7.15pm.
Come on you Reds!
