Atalanta host Liverpool at Stadio di Bergamo in the second leg of their Quarter-Final in 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.
Following their 3-0 first leg win at Anfield, Atalanta will advance if they avoid defeat or lose by two goals at maximum.
Liverpool meanwhile must simply win by four goals or more if want to turn the tie around but a 3-0 win would see them take the tie to extra time and potentially penalties.
Team News
Atalanta have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona in Serie A.
Giorgio Scalvini (hamstring) remains ruled out.
Liverpool will be without fullback, Conor Bradley after he suffered a foot injury in their 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Ben Doak (knee), Joel Matip (ACL) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Atalanta host Liverpool at Stadio di Bergamo on Thursday 18 April at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Atalanta have won two of three previous meetings against Liverpool in all UEFA competitions (W2, L1).
- Liverpool won their only previous trip to Atalanta by a 5-0 result in November 2020 in that season’s Champions League (W1).
- Atalanta have scored five goals across two trips to Anfield which is the exact number of goals that Liverpool scored in their only previous visit to Atalanta.
- Gianluca Scamacca has scored in Atalanta’s last two home matches in this competition (W1, D1).
- Liverpool have failed to keep a clean sheet in four away games in this season’s competition (W2, L2).
Prediction
With a 3-0 aggregate lead, Atalanta can afford to relax slightly but given their strong home form – with one blank at home this season plus Liverpool’s quality, I can’t see them taking this game lightly at all but they will need to be as clinical as they were at Anfield.
Liverpool meanwhile know that turning the tie around is a mammoth ask but some players have the memories of being in this situation before – if think back to that semi-final comeback against Barcelona from 3-0 down on aggregate in 2018-19 Champions League.
That particular memory therefore has to be the inspiration for another remarkable comeback but they didn’t go and lose their league match between those legs, having faltered to Palace in a wasteful performance on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds also won here by a 5-0 result a few years ago and a repeat would be enough to see them advance, but I just can’t see that happening because Atalanta are a much stronger team now so I expect a tough test but the scoring the first goal early is vital for Liverpool.
Do that then anything could happen but I really don’t see Atalanta losing on aggregate at least.
Prediction: Atalanta 1-2 Liverpool
Result: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (Atalanta win 3-1 on aggregate)
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