Liverpool travel to Italy to face Atalanta in the second leg of their Europa League Quarter-Final clash. Extraordinarily, the first leg ended 3-0 to Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. The match will take place on April 18 at the Gewiss Stadium. This is our Liverpool predicted lineup.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Atalanta in Seemingly Impossible Comeback Bid
How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently
Alisson Becker returned from injury and was surprisingly started by Jurgen Klopp against Crystal Palace. The backline was as expected (from left to right): Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Conor Bradley.
Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister have both started the last three matches and are regarded as two of Liverpool’s best players this season. Dominik Szoboszlai was dropped for Curtis Jones in the previous match.
Luis Diaz plays on the left wing, Mohamed Salah on the right, and Darwin Nunez as the striker. With the side failing to score in the last two, Klopp may look for alternatives in Diogo Jota.
Liverpool’s Recent Form and Tactics Ahead of Atalanta Match
Losing 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace in their last match, Liverpool’s morale could not be any lower. This blow came just three days after the first-leg battering in this tie. It appears that the Reds have lost what seemed like a very good chance at two trophies, in the same week.
It was the same tale of dominance and missed chances. Klopp’s side had 70% possession and missed an expected goal statistic (xG) of 2.81 including four big chances. Jota, Salah, and Jones all missed great opportunities.
However, Liverpool didn’t look secure in defence either. Eberechi Eze’s goal was far too easy: Oliver Glasner’s side looked like prime Barcelona (despite not wearing their red and blue home strip), making 21 passes in the build-up.
This continued with a further 1.39 xG after the 14th-minute goal, including two great Jean-Philippe Mateta chances denied by a Robertson goal-line clearance and a great Alisson save.
The Merseyside outfit will need to be tighter at the back and more ruthless in attack if they stand any chance of overturning the three-goal deficit in Italy.
Liverpool Injuries to Consider
Bradley went off injured against Crystal Palace. Klopp revealed the timescale: “First week of May he should be back in training”. The “remarkable” youngster will be missed in the run-in.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jota, and Alisson returned from injury against the Eagles. Stefan Bajcetic recently made a return for the U21s. Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are expected to be out for the season.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
GK: Alisson Becker
LB: Andy Robertson
CB: Virgil van Dijk
CB: Jarell Quansah
RB: Joe Gomez
CM: Alexis Mac Allister
DM: Wataru Endo
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai
LW: Luis Diaz
ST: Diogo Jota
RW: Mohamed Salah
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