The Reds were comprehensively beaten in the Champions League clash at Anfield by an Atalanta side, who they had beaten 5-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this month. However, the score-line does not tell the truth behind a resilient Liverpool side, who have been impressive despite their injury crisis.
Liverpool players in action in their 2-0 Champions League loss at Anfield to Atalanta.
Jürgen Klopp’s side, current second on the Premier League table, tied on points with leaders Tottenham Hotspur, have had their start to the season plagued with injuries to regular first team players with new signing Thiago Alcântara also a concern, playing only two league games since his move from Bayern Munich.
First choice defensive pair of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez have both suffered long term injuries while full backs, Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson also have their fair share in the injury crisis with the former currently out until December while the later recovered in time for the win over Leicester City at Anfield last weekend.
Club captain, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri and Thiago Alcântara are currently on the sideline. Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Allison Becker, Joel Matip were also not available at some point this season but have all returned and available for selection.
Despite injury to their main man in defense, Van Dijk in the Merseyside derby draw against Everton, Liverpool have conceded just two open goals in the seven games played before Atalanta, keeping four clean sheets in that time. They have also emerged winner in all those matches except a draw at The Ethiad which was quite a remarkable result.
The loss against Atalanta is just as expected that a team will lose at some point in a season. Moreso, Liverpool did not start the game with all available first team players as Jürgen Klopp opted for Kostantinos Tsimikas at leftback while Robertson was on the bench and Divock Origi leading the line, flanked by Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, who just recovered from Covid-19.
Josip Illicic celebrates putting Atalanta in front with Alejandro Papu Gomez. Photo Credit: Twitter/ Faisal HQ
It was a well contested game nevertheless, with Atalanta edging it due to the inexperience in the Liverpool defense and some dodged play in a midfield, lacking creativity. Atalanta also benefitted from Alejandro Papu Gomez’ brilliance, as the Argentine pulled the strings in the park of the area on an emotional night for him due to the passing of his countryman, Diego Armando Maradona.
The game was lost to second half goals from Josip Illicic and Robin Gosens. Although Liverpool did make some substitutions in order to salvage something from the game, it was not to be as the momentum of the game will not be taken away from Atalanta, who held on for all three points.
It will be harsh to conclude that the loss came as a result of the injury crisis because that was not the Liverpool that has been portrayed since the never ending in crisis ensued and The Reds will surely bounce back when they return to Premier League action on Saturday, with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
