At no point in the second half did Liverpool really look like it would put Atalanta under some true pressure in Bergamo.

But at the same time, the damage as Jürgen Klopp's side quietly slid, rather than crashed, out of the Europa League, was mainly done a week ago at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot but he missed the best chance of the game at the Gewiss Stadium.



Had Salah made it 2-0 on the night, any Atalanta jitters would have been amplified — but the sixth-placed Serie A side was instead let off the hook.

Liverpool return to form with fine win at Fulham	Thrashings and drama - the best Merseyside derbies of the 21st century	Thrashings and drama - the best Merseyside derbies of the 21st century

"We won and we kept a clean sheet," Virgil van Dijk told TNT Sports post-match.

"We played better than last week and there were many things to be positive [about]."

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And the Liverpool captain is right.

Caoimhín Kelleher is very good but Alisson is on another level altogether.

With its first choice back five starting together for only the first time since August, it should be no surprise that Liverpool kept a clean sheet here.

"We are back to winning ways," Klopp said at the final whistle, and that is true.

If Liverpool is to win six out of six in the Premier League run-in — and make no mistake, that is what will be required to lift the trophy — it will need to build again from here.