Klopp wants Liverpool to rise up after losing to Atalanta

After losing 0-3 to Atalanta in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals, coach Jurgen Klopp promised Liverpool would respond strongly in round 33 of the Premier League against Crystal Palace.

"The team will react strongly, I can promise that," Klopp said ahead of the Crystal Palace game. "I don't think it's the lowest point, but in terms of performance it's worrying. But the really good thing about a bad performance is that you can play better. Start from there."

The German coach is confident that he has experience in overcoming painful defeats and insists that the team will not be burdened by the defeat to Atalanta. "It must feel bad and it is. So I told the players to take the result home, sleep, recover and come back together," said Klopp.

Liverpool players look disappointed after the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at Anfield on April 11. Photo: Guardian — Liverpool players look disappointed after the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at Anfield on April 11. Photo: *Guardian*

In the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Anfield on 11 April, Gianluca Scamacca capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to put Atalanta ahead late in the first half. Liverpool then squandered a number of good chances – with Darwin Nunez missing two close-range shots and Harvey Elliott hitting the woodwork – and paid the price. Scamacca completed his double in the 60th minute before Mario Pasalic made it 3-0.

In this match, Klopp made six changes compared to the starting lineup against Man Utd a few days earlier, and admitted to being surprised by Atalanta's intensity. Key players Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Szoboszlai, Andy Robertson and Luis Díaz came on in the second half, but did not help Liverpool score.

"We changed after half-time to hope to regain control in the second half," Klopp continued. "But Atalanta showed outstanding quality. As a team, we didn't show that. I need the team to be energetic, fit, to give their all, a little angry and passionate. It doesn't matter much about the team situation."

The only positives from the defeat to Atalanta were the introduction of Diogo Jota in the second half and Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to the squad after more than two months out injured. Klopp revealed that Jota had only had two training sessions before the game, while Alexander-Arnold was unable to play but was on the bench due to UEFA regulations allowing 23 players.

Currently competing for the Premier League title with Man City and Arsenal and facing a difficult task in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Atalanta on April 18, Klopp expects his key players to soon reach their best physical condition.

Coach Jurgen Klopp directs Liverpool's 0-3 loss to Atalanta in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Anfield on April 11. Photo: AP

"My job is not the easiest in the world, nor is it the most difficult," said the 56-year-old. "The important thing is to put the players on the pitch and then it will work out somehow. We play with different formations and want to play quality football. But in the last game, we didn't do that and lost."

Hong Duy

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