- Atalanta stunned Liverpool in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final
- Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca scored in each half for the visitors
- IAN LADYMAN and CHRIS SUTTON have their say on the Premier League Player of the Year – Listen to the It all starts podcast
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ as they were humiliated 3-0 by Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The manager’s gamble to make six changes to his starting line-up backfired as Gianluca Scamacca (2) and Mario Pasalic ensured the Italian underdogs became the first team to win at Anfield this season.
Klopp watched in amazement as his side collapsed, leaving them needing a miracle in the second leg of the quarter-final next week.
Liverpool fans had hoped the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22 would give Klopp a perfect farewell before he leaves the club.
“It was a really bad game, oh my God,” moaned the German manager.
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ as they were humiliated 3-0 by Atalanta
Atalanta recorded a shock 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final
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‘We started very well and then we didn’t go any further. Before they even scored, we kind of lost the plot.
‘We were everywhere and nowhere. The midfield was so divided, right and left.
“I didn’t recognize it at all, it was really strange.”
A blunder by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher gave Atalanta the halftime lead.
Klopp sent on Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson on the break and Luis Diaz after an hour, but to no avail as things got worse.
He defended his Liverpool team selection in the midst of a thrilling three-horse Premier League title race with Crystal Palace visiting Anfield on Sunday.
‘I understand the question 100 percent: if we lose a match, that’s what it’s like: the changes. But one of the reasons I would do the exact same thing again is because if we want to be good in the rest of the season, we have to make changes.
‘I am primarily responsible for this result, I know that. But the decision (on the starting line-up) would remain the same.”
Klopp had to make six changes with the Premier League title race in mind
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca scored in each half for the visitors at Anfield
Liverpool once overturned a 3-0 deficit to beat Barcelona and reach the Champions League final in 2019.
However, Klopp does not make any bombastic predictions about a repeat next week in Italy.
Can we win 3-0? “I have no idea,” he added.
