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Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage after an uninspired performance in Bergamo on Thursday evening.

Liverpool’s exit from the Europa League at the hands of Atalanta was a bitter disappointment, especially considering the high expectations surrounding Jurgen Klopp’s final season.

It was always going to be difficult to overturn the damage done in the first leg.

Mohamed Salah’s seventh-minute penalty, awarded after a handball from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, provided a glimmer of hope.

However, the Reds simply did not do enough at this stage of the competition, and Atalanta were deserved winners of the tie.

After drawing with Manchester United and losing at home to Crystal Palace, the Reds finished a difficult 12-day stretch that saw them lose their advantage atop the Premier League.

The title chase is once again in the spotlight with Liverpool currently in third place, two points behind leaders Manchester City and second-place Arsenal.

The Atalanta players put in plenty of hard work at the Gewiss Stadium last night, against a Liverpool side that seemed bereft of creativity, energy, and ideas.

But according to Trent Alexander-Arnold, this assessment was a fair one.

What did Trent Alexander-Arnold say about the Europa League exit?

The Reds preserved their first clean sheet in nine games, with Alisson Becker mainly going untested.

Hopefully, that will instill some confidence in them as the Premier League season approaches its conclusion.

Liverpool’s vice-captain started his first game in over two months last night after coming off the bench against Crystal Palace last weekend.

After being taken off the in the 72nd minute, Alexander-Arnold admitted that he was wilting:

“I think I just ran out of juice in the second-half,” he began to LFCTV.

“In the first-half I was enjoying my football, finding passes, playing a game that I loved.”

“I think you could tell by the way I played it was special for me to be back out there and help the team to win the game.”

“But as good as it was for me personally to be back out there, the overriding feeling is disappointment not to be able to carry on in this competition.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold is still working his way to 100% match fitness, so it makes sense that he was tiring in the second-half.

The England international has been uncharacteristically absent for large periods of this season,perhaps contributing to the recent downturn in form.

Nevertheless, the Reds need to quickly dust themselves off and prepare for a stern test at Craven Cottage to face Fulham this weekend.

Read More:

Jurgen Klopp reacts as Liverpool crash out of Europa League

Jurgen Klopp opens up on Mohamed Salah’s form

David Ornstein provides update on Liverpool’s pursuit of Ruben Amorim

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