Jurgen Klopp’s last ever season at Liverpool.Potentially the last time fans see him in a European game at Anfield.The ongoing hunt for the Treble.All the elements for a larger-than-life plot were there on Thursday night before this Netflix-worth scenario took a shocking U-turn.UEL: Horrible Reds on the brink of the abyss after a shocking 3-0 loss at AnfieldThe sixth team of the Serie A vandalised Liverpool like almost no one ever, beating Klopp’s pale, lacklustre side 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final.Of course, when you’re a Reds fan, it’s almost natural to believe in miracles, especially after your loved ones returned from a 3-0 half-time deficit against superstrong AC Milan in that epic Champions League showdown 19 years ago.2)Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (3-2 pens) 2005pic.twitter.com/s3N3PGQkUG— VP1 (fan) (@varanepod1) April 9, 2024 Next Thursday in Bergamo, it will be somewhat similar to that – in terms of aggregate result, the Scousers are three goals down at half-time against Atalanta and need some of that trademark magic.Impossible? Probably yes, but let’s wait for a few days. Until then, it’s needless to say that Liverpool suffered one of the worst home defeats in the club’s history.Awful result & performance from Liverpool, the only consolation about getting beat so heavily is Jurgen should play a full second string in the second leg & go all in for the league!— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 11, 2024 It was their joint-heaviest defeat at home in major European competition, both previously coming against Real Madrid in recent years.”They were arguably the worst I have ever seen them [under Klopp],” said former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live.”Liverpool were poor. Wasteful in possession, so many mistakes all over the pitch.”Klopp offered no excuses for what he hopes is a blip rather than anything more worrying, with Liverpool second in the Premier League table, level on 71 points with leaders Arsenal, but behind on goal difference.”That was a bad performance and that’s how it is,” the German told TNT Sports.”A lot of performances tonight were really ‘oops, wow, I didn’t know they could play like that’. A lot of the players looked really alone in a lot of moments. It was really bad.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8028183##Asked if they could win it back, Klopp was quite straightforward.”If we play good, it is possible. Can we win 3-0? I have no idea.”Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool “deserved to lose” against Atalanta in the Europa League.#BBCFootball #LFC pic.twitter.com/LgZYWPooCT— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 12, 2024 Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said it was important not to overreact.”If you don’t believe, there’s no point going to Italy,” added the Netherlands defender.”We have made it very hard for ourselves going there 3-0 down. But the way to bounce back is by winning the game on the weekend.”We need everyone to switch it back on. Then we can focus on putting out at least four goals over there.”
