So, so bad… What a shock, what battering have we just witnessed!In one of the worst performances of the season so far, Liverpool were outplayed and battered by half-a-decent Serie A side Atalanta 3-0 on Thursday night at Anfield in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final.Jurgen Klopp and his players probably underestimated the rival a bit, which fired back at them in the most painful way.Former West Ham attacker Gianluca Scammaca scored a brace – a goal in each half – to push the Reds to the verge of the abyss.Straight from the kick-off, it was blatant the home fans would have anything but a joyful night out, as disciplined visitors installed a solid defensive wall. Moreover, they seemed determined and prepared to fight back through counters. That’s precisely how the deadlock was eventually broken as Zappacosta dashed on the right wing before crossing it low to Scamacca. That was nothing more than a decent effort, and Kelleher should have denied it. Alas, the Reds conceded as the ball went under his arms.GOAL | LIVERPOOL 0-1 ATALANTA | SCAMMACA SCORES AND LIVERPOOL ARE BEHIND AT ANFIELD!!!pic.twitter.com/hdOvqcKkci— SimplyGoal (@SimplyGoal) April 11, 2024 They have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 home games in all competitions and have conceded the opening goal at Anfield in four of their previous seven games.Kelleher managed though to make up for his previous error after pulling off a very important save when faced with Koopmeiners in the clear-cut chance near the interval.That was a clear sign for Klopp to react promptly, as he opted for Salah instantly after the break. The Egyptian made his presence felt straight from the locker room as he shortly forced a good save out of the visiting goalkeeper.Still, Liverpool issues were here to stay, with Scamacca punishing them again for lousy defending and awful man-marking. De Ketelaere was unmarked on the right as Konate kept him and Scamacca onside, providing too much space for both. The Belgium international crossed it to the Italian, and the former West Ham striker netted routinely past Kelleher.🚨🚨🚨GOALLiverpool 0-[2] Atlanta 60’ Gianluca Scammaca scores a brace and doubles the lead for Atlanta. What a shocker 🔥#LiverpoolFC #atlanta #EuropaLeague #europa #LIVATA pic.twitter.com/WAHeikLCBY— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) April 11, 2024 But it was still far from over when it came to the Scousers’ agony tonight. It went from bad to worse for Klopp’s deplorable side as Szoboszlai lost the ball in the danger area, and although Ederson failed to convert it, the rebound went straight to Pasalic for a routine tap-in, 3-0!🚨🚨| GOAL: PASALIC MAKES IT THREE!!!Liverpool 0-3 Atalanta pic.twitter.com/bIDsDptyFF— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) April 11, 2024 In a return leg scheduled for next Thursday in Bergamo, Liverpool need much more than a fantastic night. They’ll be hoping for one of those rare, magical nights this club has been known for in recent decades.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – QUARTER-FINALSFirst legThursdayMilan – Roma 0-1 (0-1)/Mancini 17/Liverpool – Atalanta 0-3 (0-1)/Scammaca 38, 60, Pasalic 83/Leverkusen – West Ham 2-0 (0-0)/Hofmann 83, Boniface 90+1/Benfica – Olympique Marseille 2-1 (1-0)/Silva 16, Di Maria 52 – Aubameyang 67/
