The score of the first leg at Anfield was largely unexpected, but certainly not a sensation. It’s worth reminding that Atalanta had already beaten Liverpool away during the group stage of the Champions League (2-0), after being thoroughly defeated at their home ground (0-5). Overall, it was a match between teams known for their attacking style of play, and last Thursday, Atalanta simply capitalized better on their chances. Over the weekend, Atalanta hosted Verona in the Italian league and managed to secure just one point, drawing 2-2. Currently, “La Dea” sits in sixth place in the league table, ahead of Lazio in the race for European competitions by just two points, with a game in hand. In the last five rounds, Atalanta has only recorded one victory, suffering two defeats and two draws.
Jurgen Klopp’s side surprised many last Thursday, putting their place in the tournament’s semi-finals under serious doubt. However, let’s not forget how the last match between these teams ended on Atalanta’s turf. Moreover, Liverpool is a team that should never be written off prematurely. It’s also worth noting that over the weekend, Liverpool suffered a surprising defeat at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League (0-1). Manchester City took advantage of this, surpassing Liverpool in the title race and topping the league table with a two-point lead. City’s fixture list is favorable, and it’s difficult to see where they might slip up. Essentially, for Klopp, the match in Bergamo is now crucial, as there’s still a chance to rectify everything here. Whereas in the league, it’s all in the hands of their opponents.
