UEFA Europa League 2023-24: Atalanta BC (ATA) vs Liverpool (LIV) quarter-finals 2nd leg Match Preview

Atalanta BC will be hosting Liverpool in an all-important quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League 2nd leg. The Italian side have shocked already at Anfield by beating them 3-0 in the first leg of the knockout round, as the Reds were shell-shocked after they got thrashed by their opponents. They became the first team to do so after Real Madrid defeated them in the UEFA Champions League last season. However, the last time these two teams met at the Gewiss Stadium Diogo Jota scored a hattrick against them.  

Jurgen Klopp's side will look to do something similar this season as well in order to qualify for the last four of the competition and even win the Europa League as well, as Klopp has already announced that he will be leaving the club after the end of the current season. So the club and players would like to give him the best farewell by winning some major trophies. The German will come out with his full side and want to make full use of his tactics. 

There have been some injury concerns ahead of the game with full-back Conor Bradley missing out after he picked up an ankle injury and will be out for three weeks. However, the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold will be a huge benefit for the side with the attacking right-back might turn out to be the X-Factor. 

Atalanta BC vs Liverpool: Prediction

Gian Piero Gasperini's side will look to shock one of the favourites of the tournament as they hope to qualify for the last four of the competitions. Previously also they bottled a 2-0 lead at home losing 5-0 against the same opponents back in 2020/21. They had the best goal record by a visiting team at Anfield. Gianluca Scamacca who was haunted by a brace in the reverse fixture will like to again score against the PL side.

The Reds will be coming into the game after their loss against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, as they suffered another home defeat this time by the Eagles in the ongoing season. But they have the capability of turning things around in their favour and have come back in the games and tournaments. Mohamed Salah will be up to the task as the Egyptian winger needs to step up for his side in the biggest occassion. 

Prediction: 2-2 Draw (Atalanta BC 5-2 Liverpool on Aggregate) 

Injury and Suspension Concern 

Atalanta BC 

Giorgio Scalvini 

Liverpool

Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak, Joel Matip, Conor Bradley 

Probable Playing XI  

Atalanta BC 

Marco Carnesecchi, Rafael Tolói, Berat Djimsiti, Sead Kolašinac, Hans Hateboer, Ederson, Marten de Roon,  Davide Zappacosta, Teun Koopmeiners, Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca

Liverpool 

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz