UEFA Europa League 2023-24: Liverpool (LIV) vs Atalanta BC (ATA) quarter-finals 1st leg Match Preview

Liverpool have been in outstanding form in the English Premier League (EPL) they are same points as league leaders Arsenal but behind only in goal difference. The Reds would like to finish as the champions of England in order for a fairy tale farewell to their head coach Jürgen Klopp. The German head coach has already announced his departure from the club after the end of the season. Despite their poor last-season form, they have made an excellent comeback in the ongoing season. 

They are currently playing in the UEFA Europa League, on Thursday they will be facing Atalanta BC in the 1st leg quarter-finals of the 2nd tier European championship. The Reds will like to take their chances and score goals in the game and not create the chances and miss the opportunities they did in the game against Manchester United. The two teams have only met twice before, both times in the UEFA Champions League group stage back in 2020/21.

In the first leg, they trashed the Italian side 5-0 and then got defeated at Anfield 2-0. Atalanta has been in good form in the Europa League compared to Serie A they Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16 to qualify for the last 8. The Serie A side will look to do something similar they did last at Anfield. 

Liverpool vs Atalanta BC: Prediction

Mohamed Salah has been in excellent form this season with 35 goal contributions for the side, he will definitely try to make those wing runs and score some goals on Thursday. For the Reds Alisson is back in team training but there is a doubt whether the Brazilian keeper will start at Anfield. However, Caoimhin Kelleher has performed well in most of the games he has participated in. 

On the other hand, the Nerazzurri will be looking to keep trying to haunt the opponents and shock the Anfield crowd once again, despite their poor show in the Italian league. Duván Zapata who have scored 7 goals in the UCL will be the player to watch out for the Reds' defence. 

Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool 

Injury and Suspension Concern 

Liverpool 

Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Thiago, Joël Matip, Ben Doak, Stefan Bajcetic

Atalanta BC 

Giorgio Scalvini 

Probable Playing XI  

Liverpool 

Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz

Atalanta BC 

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