Liverpool fall short of comeback against Atalanta despite early Salah goal

Jürgen Klopp has taken Liverpool to four European finals, one Champions League trophy and places that players and fans alike may never have imagined possible but a journey that pulsated and punished is over. There will be no fairytale ending in Dublin after one more feat of escapology proved beyond Klopp’s team against Atalanta.

The 91st European game of Klopp’s nine-year Liverpool reign was also his last despite a vastly improved display and win against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. “If we fail, then let’s fail in the most beautiful way,” Klopp had said on the eve of the Europa League quarter-final second leg. Liverpool delivered to a degree. Mohamed Salah struck an early penalty that decided the contest but could not transform the tie, although it looked possible during a first half in which Atalanta creaked and the Egypt international missed an excellent chance to double Liverpool’s advantage. Atalanta regained their composure in the second half to secure only the second European semi-final place in their history and revel in one of their greatest nights.

The improbable seemed probable again when Liverpool were handed an early penalty by the Atalanta defender Matteo Ruggeri. Trent Alexander-Arnold also played an instrumental role in a lead that sent a wave of optimism through the visiting ranks and preyed on the worst fears of the hosts.

Alexander-Arnold was one of six changes Klopp made from the first leg, a tacit admission of getting things wrong at Anfield perhaps, and it was his exquisite pass out of central defence that sent Luis Díaz clear down the left. When the Colombia winger’s cross was headed clear by Ruggeri it was the Liverpool right-back who suddenly appeared to collect outside the penalty area. Alexander-Arnold’s cross struck the defender’s trailing hand and the French referee François Letexier was perfectly placed to spot the offence. Salah drilled the resulting spot-kick into Juan Musso’s bottom left hand corner as the Atalanta goalkeeper dived to the right.

Stadio di Bergamo witnessed a role reversal of the first leg at Anfield. Now it was Liverpool playing with a vibrancy and clear sense of purpose as they swarmed over the Italian side. The lethargy of their last two performances was gone. Atalanta were now the ones making careless mistakes, posing little threat and being dragged into positions they did not want to go by Liverpool’s intelligent movement. The visitors threatened repeatedly and had eight attempts on goal, three on target, in the first half. Atalanta had three attempts on goal and none on target, although Teun Koopmeiners had a goal disallowed for offside shortly before the interval.

 

Jürgen Klopp’s final European match in charge of Liverpool ended in frustration despite their win on the night. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Salah almost released Dominik Szoboszlai through on goal only for Musso to gather at the midfielder’s feet. The keeper also saved at point-blank range from Díaz after another immaculate cross-field pass from Alexander-Arnold stretched the Italian defence again. The comeback looked on. Alexander-Arnold sent Cody Gakpo clear but over-elaboration by the Liverpool forward line sent Klopp apoplectic on the sideline. His mood was not improved by Salah making a mess of an attempted lob over the stranded Musso after being sent clear by Gakpo’s first time flick. Salah’s reaction, one of disgust, said everything about the miss. It denied Liverpool the bigger interval lead their performance deserved.

Atalanta created a rare opportunity to change the complexion of the second leg moments after the restart. Davide Zappacosta, the right wing back who was so effective at Anfield but largely contained here, presented Aleksei Miranchuk with a sight of goal inside the Liverpool penalty area. The Russian striker’s shot was blocked but fell to Éderson, who steered a tame effort straight at Alisson.

The home side struggled to get out of their half or retain possession otherwise as Liverpool continued to dominate. Berat Gjimshiti almost gifted Liverpool a second when heading an Andy Robertson through ball past his own goalkeeper. The former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac hacked clear before Gakpo could capitalise. A Gakpo back-heel found Salah unmarked in front of goal but the forward was offside before testing Musso. The keeper also saved a Virgil van Dijk header from Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick. Atalanta were hanging on.

Liverpool’s relentless efforts to turn the tie began to take a toll. Klopp introduced Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez in place of the tiring Díaz, Salah, Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold. The young striker Jayden Danns replaced Robertson as the Liverpool manager loaded his forward line. His team’s desperate pursuit of two goals also left defensive gaps that Atalanta started to exploit.

The changes failed to have the desired effect. Liverpool rarely threatened again as Atalanta rediscovered the defensive organisation and sharpness that underpinned their first leg victory at Anfield. Klopp’s European adventures petered out quietly.