Liverpool were well beaten by Atalanta across a poor Europa League quarter-final for the Reds.

In reality, the damage was done a week ago in the first-leg at Anfield.

Stunned by the Italian side’s man-marking tactics, Liverpool simply crumbled.

Having been beaten 3-0 on home turf, it was always going to be a big ask for Jurgen Klopp’s team to go to Bergamo and get through.

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At the bare minimum, Liverpool will have hoped to have gained back some pride and won the game on the night.

And that’s what they managed to do, sneaking a 1-0 win courtesy of Mohamed Salah penalty.

However, the Reds never looked like scoring any more beyond that, Trent Alexander-Arnold admitting that that he and the team ‘ran out of juice.’ The result meant a first European semi-final for Atalanta since 1988, and of course they celebrated it accordingly.

Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images

It can often be galling to watch fans and players of those that have just beaten you celebrate into the night.

Especially when they weren’t expected to win.

But there is plenty to like about Atalanta, and as a result, we can’t begrudge them their full-time celebrations.

The other of Ibrahima Konate and Harvey Elliott following behind their manager, hands together in appreciation.

“Respect,” wrote the Atalanta account, alongside a raised fist and a clapping emoji.

In our opinion, this is exactly how European football should be.

Liverpool were of course huge favourites to get through against Atalanta, and other clubs might have been tempted to poke fun at the Reds’ downfall.