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Atalanta beat Liverpool at Anfield by 3-0 in the first leg of the Uefa Europa League 2023-24 and this could be Jurgen Klopp's final European game at Anfield. Gianluca Scamacca struck twice as Atalanta stunned Liverpool at home. The visitors took the lead after Scamacca's grounded shot got past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the 38th minute. Scamacca scored his second in the second half while Pasalic came up with the third of the night to take a healthy lead ahead of the second leg at home.
A terrible display from Liverpool at Anfield
This was a terrible display from the Reds. They took Atalanta lightly and they paid the price. Atalanta took the lead when an unmarked Scamacca scored from Zappacosta’s pinpoint pass. Liverpool dominated the possession but couldn't do anything to stop the Nerazzurries. Scamaca scored his second from a fine cross by Charles De Ketelaere in the 60th minute before Mario Pasalic sealed the game, scoring their third goal in the 83rd minute. This is arguably Atalanta's greatest European victory.
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Pasalic's 50th goal for Atalanta gave a huge blow to the tournament favourites on their turf and now the Reds need to win by four goals in the return leg next Thursday. Klopp sent on Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Andy Robertson as substitutes for the second half, but it was too late. The Italian side are now the favourites to qualify for the Semis and Liverpool have to replicate their Barcelona performance. Still, the second leg of that match was played at Anfield. This time, it will be much more difficult and different.
Atalanta won at Anfield 2-0 in the Champions League group stage in 2020. Liverpool won the English League Cup and are in the Premier League title race with Arsenal and Manchester City. Earlier, they were eliminated from the FA Cup in the quarterfinals after losing to Manchester United.