Jurgen Klopp has named a strong squad for Liverpool’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Atalanta, despite Jamie Carragher’s suggestion that he should name a weakened side and focus instead on the Premier League.
Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Gian Piero Gasperini’s team at Anfield, with Gianluca Scamacca scoring twice and Mario Pasalic adding a late third. Anything less than a three-goal victory in Bergamo would end the Reds’ run in a competition which they were favourites to win after the round of 16.
Klopp’s team followed up that defeat with another damaging reverse against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. They sit two points behind leaders Manchester City with six games remaining, though City arguably have a friendlier fixture list.
The second leg against Atalanta is one of three matches in the space of seven days, with Liverpool travelling to Fulham on Sunday and Everton the following Wednesday. While fans are yet to learn Klopp’s first team for the game in Italy, the big names have not been left at home.
“Awful result & performance from Liverpool,” Carragher wrote on social media after the first leg reverse. “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!”
Klopp has done nothing of the sort, though. His 24-man travelling squad includes senior stars Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, as well as young talents Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark.
There are still a few players missing, with Conor Bradley the latest name on the injury list. Bradley faces an estimated three weeks out after picking up an ankle problem in Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace, while the likes of Joel Matip and Thiago are already missing.
Can Liverpool turn things around against Atalanta? Have your say in the comments section
“They have their own identity, a very precise one,” Atalanta boss Gasperini told reporters ahead of the second leg. “I expect the best Liverpool possible, with a team that will come here to play for all their chances, we will have to play a great match to get a result.
“We are happy to play a match of good quality in front of our fans. This value, finally with the stadium taking shape. We know that it will be one of the most important matches in history, if not the most important.
“But these are things that are said on the eve of the match, then the moment comes when we will have to know how to isolate ourselves. We must, knowing that the result is what counts.
