Liverpool aim to turnaround a three-goal deficit in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Atalanta.
Liverpool have confirmed one starter against Atalanta, and it might be a bit of a surprise. Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Liverpool’s ambitions of winning the Europa League remain as strong as ever.
Liverpool head into tonight’s quarter-final second leg against Atalanta. The Reds are trailing 3-0 on aggregate after a shock defeat at Anfield last week. Hence, it means Klopp’s troops are the firm underdogs to reach the last four. And, for that, they’ll have to produce another famous European comeback in Italy.
Meanwhile, Liverpool remain in the Premier League title race and sit two points behind ManCity with six games remaining. Any slip-up from City and Arsenal means Liverpool could capitalise and regain the lead at the summit. However, Klopp is adamant that Liverpool are still going to do their utmost best to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Jurgen Klopp feels confident about Liverpool
“One hundred per cent. We are here. I am long enough in this business to know it is two legs and it is over when it’s over. As far as I know, we are still allowed to play tomorrow so that is what we will try, that means it has our 100,000 per cent focus.
“We are only here for one reason – I am pretty sure this is a wonderful region but we did not even look [at it]. We are only here for playing football, that’s what I can say. But I cannot win this game in this press conference today, that’s why I am not really interested in what you are asking and what I am answering as well because the main part is obviously when I leave this room, finally, it starts. But we are 100 per cent focused.” – said the Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp.
Moreover, it appears Klopp will name a strong side against Atalanta – and that Alisson Becker is in line to start. Becker returned from a two-month lay-off from a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace. Caoimhin Kelleher deputised while Alisson was on the sidelines and earned plenty of plaudits.
Kelleher has featured in every Europa League game this season. Kelleher had conversations with Klopp about his future last summer. Also, it appeared along with the Carabao Cup that he’d been assigned Europa League responsibilities.
Alisson Becker is back between the sticks
However, Alisson was on pre-match media duties along with the Liverpool boss which suggests that he’ll be between the posts.
“Of course losing 3-0 at home is something that we cannot accept as LFC players. We have to improve our performances, of course, but if I would be more precise on the things we have to do better, it is we have to go back to keeping clean sheets and try to score the chances that we have, the clear chances that we have in front of the goal.
“I am saying that because I trust my strikers a lot, I trust my defenders a lot and I know the quality that we have as a team.
“So if we do that as a team, defend as a team, attack as a team, improving these kind of things then I think we can go back to winning games.” – said Alisson Becker.
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