Match Thread: Liverpool v Atalanta

[CCTV]

8 games without a clean sheet.

4 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses.

14/24 points ain't exactly cutting the mustard.

In the pl since new years
Arsenal have conceded 4 in 11 PL games.
We've conceded 14 in 12 PL games.

+9 better goal difference after conceding an extra 10 goals ( if my late night addition is correct)

[CCTV]

Arsenal +9gd on us in the league, after we've conceded 10 more goals than them since 2024 began.

[Steveo]

We need to be so thankful for Klopp’s brilliant tenure as LFC manager and as a tribute to Klopp we all need to remain as believers and certainly never allow any doubt to ever rear its ugly head again…

This got the sarcasm it deserves. It’ deserves more.

We don’t actually “need” to be anything because you say so BPF. As reds we just naturally ARE more than thankful of the blessing. but NONE of us “need” to be.


Klopp’s Brilliance can enjoyed, revered, lamented by some even loathed by others - up to each and every individual. And nobody “needs” to be Corralled into any form of idolatry just because you say it’s so.

And to say we must never let any doubt rear its ugly head - as a tribute to Klopp is frankly - ridiculous. Not just ridiculous and totally unrealistic but a form of passive bullying. You don’t get to beat people up for their genuine feelings - or stifle their ability to say what they feel - by using your interpretation of a supposed loyalty to Klopp as the stick to beat them with.

I know what you are doing - even if you don’t - and it isn’t nice.


Here is a diehard - daring to show a little of that doubt that is born of what was witnessed.

[teesred]

So the open top bus parade is off?

I think I have witnessed Jurgen’s final European game at Anfield.

That was as bad as I’ve seen in a long time, but it’s not particularly surprising. We’ve been off the boil for a couple of months at least. The players look shattered. Let’s just get this season over.

Looks very likely but hopefully it won't be that way.
What an awful way for him to sign off in Europe if that's how it goes.
We have definitely been off the boil like you say but I also think there's an element of things now catching us out that we've been getting away with all season.
Slow starters,conceding first very often and not keeping clean sheets anywhere near enough.
Hoping for one last push for things after that defeat but admittedly not expecting it. Things looked unbelievably promising just a few weeks ago and now it's took a bit of a downturn.

[Steveo]

Hasn’t been mentioned but there was a protest of sorts in the ground. No Flags or banners on the Kop - protesting the 2% Ticket price increase.

Atmosphere was low too.

Klopp does his best to defend them but the hardcore support know who these people are.

Maybe tonight will give them something to think about. The goose that laid the golden egg is about to fly the nest.

[Insidious]

So the open top bus parade is off?

I think I have witnessed Jurgen’s final European game at Anfield.

Will come down to performances, won't it? If last night is a blip of concentration and confidence and the players climb back on the Horse then we know we're still capable of getting results going forward.

However, if last night isn't just a blip and is the first major sign of a symptom within a squad that isn't in full health capacity just now, then we can more likely expect the fizzling out of the season, which would be a shame given that we went quite deep in multiple comps.

Injuries to key players for long spells haven't helped and some lads have had to "go again" too many times and there could be other things going on too when it comes to missing elements. One such element (speculation here) could be absent leaders - we have had certain players who, in different ways, have been the core/spirit of this side over the years - Henderson and Milner are of course gone, Robertson remains but isn't his best self just now (and didn't start) Salah seems fatigued (possibly from fasting) Alisson absent, Trent absent, Van Dijk perhaps (?) having a difficult time with the Captaincy and likely tired himself.

After last night my confidence in our League challenge has certainly taken a big knock, which I hope to shake off by the time Monday comes. If we win against Crystal Palace then my mentality will likely shift to "just 6 more times" again but I'll happily concede to having huge doubts this morning - players are perhaps coming back from injury just a couple of weeks too late for what we really needed and Klopp is clearly exhausted. That is not to say he has "lost his touch" or whatever, but you'd love to hit the Pause button and give him 6-12 months before resuming the season and of course that isn't possible.

As to the Atalanta tie, I think most of us will feel the chance of turning that tie around is slim. Unlike the 3-0 deficit against Barcelona, we aren't getting to play the second leg at a manic Anfield - we're having to go to Italy and having to play a side that doesn't often get to go this deep on the European stage. We are a better side and squad than they are - their League position tells you they aren't Italy's best right now - but for a number of seasons they have had this capacity to get great individual results.

I haven't seen them absolutely blitz a side for a while which may be one saving grace - Atalanta of a couple of years ago often did to sides what we did in our early seasons of Klopp - a 25-minute spell of utter Blitzkrieg that could result in a 4-0 etc - though it must be said that they could be on the receiving end of heavy defeats when it didn't click. Their "wanting it more" (they get to play these games less often, so it will mean more to them) will be a huge factor and I don't expect a turnaround if I'm honest.

Still. Weirder things have happened. We have won games of football 3-0 or 4-1 before (either scoreline would force extra-time) though not so much this season. If you offered me Liverpool being 1-0 up in the second leg after 35 minutes and seeing what we can do, I'd definitely take it. I'm not optimistic on it, but weirder things have happened.

Not good to have to go "all-in" on a European low-likelihood away game when trying to maintain energy for a League challenge though. By going for it fully we could end up sealing our fate both domestically and in Europe, which would be even more deflating than last night, so we have to be careful.

[ianlfc]

So the open top bus parade is off?

I think I have witnessed Jurgen’s final European game at Anfield.

That was as bad as I’ve seen in a long time, but it’s not particularly surprising. We’ve been off the boil for a couple of months at least. The players look shattered. Let’s just get this season over.

I agree, but there's a league to be won. Its not all lost ,Jota and Trent are back so they'll help the push.

[jr81]

Hasn’t been mentioned but there was a protest of sorts in the ground. No Flags or banners on the Kop - protesting the 2% Ticket price increase.

Atmosphere was low too.

Klopp does his best to defend them but the hardcore support know who these people are.

Maybe tonight will give them something to think about. The goose that laid the golden egg is about to fly the nest.

Yes - I wondered would anyone mention this. The atmosphere was noticeably quiet for a European game. It's a pity the protest coincided with what looks like klopps last home European game for us.

That last line is a worry. But we won't know until next season is in full flow.

[jr81]

I agree, but there's a league to be won. Its not all lost ,Jota and Trent are back so they'll help the push.

Gotta keep the positives.

[Steveo]

Gotta keep the positives.

Yes - A big win Sunday and this is all but forgotten.

Looking on the bright side Jurgen Klopp has heard of Atalanta

@2:20 ..Ian Foot - as Jurgen Klopp - telling the press he is actually his on lunch break.
After not believing Atalanta were a real football team.