As Liverpool players stood around in disbelief on Sunday – some with heads in hands – supporters surely believed the 2023/24 campaign was over.
Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace came just days after a 3-0 loss at the hands of Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, with the pessimists among us presumably feeling as if two trophies have now slipped away.
Visions of a special day out in Dublin for the UEFA Europa League final and a farewell for Jurgen Klopp slowly faded as the Italian side ran riot at Anfield, although Liverpool fans must now feel a glimmer of hope after what happened on Monday night…
Liverpool fans surely feel a bit better after what happened on Monday
Well, Liverpool famously overturned a 3-0 deficit in Europe back in 2019, after Lionel Messi’s Barcelona were stunned by a 4-0 hammering at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Some have doubted the chances of that happening again in Bergamo next week, expecting Atalanta to sit deep and play a typically Italian defensive style to protect their 3-0 lead, whereas Barcelona continued to play openly.
However, signs of a potential wobble from Atalanta against Liverpool were there for all to see on Monday.
Gian Piero Gasperini watched his side throw away a 2-0 lead inside just four second half minutes of Monday’s Serie A clash against Hellas Verona, with goals from Darko Lazovic and Tijjani Noslin in the 56th and 60th minute respectively earning Atalanta’s opponents a shock point.
This was not Inter Milan, or Juventus, or Napoli who did this to Atalanta, but 16th placed Hellas Verona – who could still be relegated to Serie B this season.
Therefore, if Marco Baroni’s side can score two in four minutes against Atalanta, Liverpool can net at least three in 90 minutes – Klopp’s men should be full of hope and optimism after Monday’s result in Bergamo.
More positivity
Atalanta’s 2-2 draw is not the only development that should offer hope.
Thursday’s second leg against the Serie A outfit should also see Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold return to the starting XI.
The latter finally made his return in Sunday’s loss to Crystal Palace, while Jota also came off the bench in that game after receiving 15 minutes against Atalanta as well.
Alisson Becker should also step in for Caoimhin Kelleher after making a comeback of his own against Crystal Palace.
With three genuine world class players likely to be back in the starting XI, there is no reason why Liverpool cannot overturn this 3-0 deficit.
Amid the UEFA Europa League drama, Rio Ferdinand has shared his prediction for Liverpool…