<gu-island name="KeyEventsCarousel" priority="feature" deferuntil="visible" props="{"keyEvents":[{"id":"66215faf8f08e8f9eb3317df","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Atalanta: Musso, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, Ederson Silva, De Roon, Ruggeri, Miranchuk, Koopmeiners, Scamacca.
Subs: Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Bakker, Adopo, Carnesecchi, Rossi, Hateboer, Bonfanti.
","elementId":"620a6aa3-d04c-475e-95f7-5e1c9e7cd652"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Subs: Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Adrian, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Clark, Kelleher, Danns, Quansah.
","elementId":"ee88886a-90c7-4229-901b-509d35e73d6c"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1713463215000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"19.00 BST","blockLastUpdated":1713463400000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"19.03 BST","blockFirstPublished":1713463400000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"19.03 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"19.03","title":"The teams!","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Thu 18 Apr 2024 19.37 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Thu 18 Apr 2024 18.45 BST"},{"id":"661f7a1c8f084503c65261b2","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Another evening, another potential series of fixtures featuring English sides getting their ar$e handed to them by the rest of the pesky European elite! After Arsenal and Manchester City were sent tumbling out of the Champions League on Wednesday, our attention turns to the Europa League, where things are also looking dire for the English sides. West Ham are 2-0 down from their first leg against Bundesliga darlings Bayer Leverkusen, while Liverpool will attempt to bounce back from a shocking 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta. Won’t somebody think of the co-efficient?!
","elementId":"7d0b2df5-d9ee-4bb8-a1b8-9877c947adf3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"English clubs in nervy wait as Germany closes on extra Champions League spot","elementId":"2c3615bc-09af-46ce-a0cc-38e0019d9320","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/18/england-germany-champions-league"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement","source":"Twitter","id":"1780870224515936468","elementId":"83d41300-3ae1-40d9-9adb-3af7e4bc16ff","hasMedia":false,"role":"inline","url":"https://twitter.com/NilsMackay/status/1780870224515936468","isThirdPartyTracking":false,"html":"
For the first time this season, 🏴England is NOT favoured to get the 5th Champions League spot.
This week's results have been about as bad as possible for England.
🇩🇪 Germany's excellent results now mean they are very likely to end in Top 2 this year instead — 93.4%! pic.twitter.com/RxxXZWEut5
— Nils Mackay (@NilsMackay) April 18, 2024
"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Atalanta were absolutely superb at Anfield, resolute in defence and clinical in attack. Jürgen Klopp made no excuses for his side’s first-leg defeat: “It was a really bad game, oh my God,” said the Liverpool manager after the game. “We started really well but didn’t continue. Before they scored we just lost the plot … we played a bad game, we deserved to lose. That’s how it is. Congratulations to Atalanta, really well done.”
","elementId":"218d4d5f-8b06-4265-a420-1b316d1cdecf"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Klopp was in a rather more philosophical mood this week, prior to Thursday’s match, admitting the situation reminded him of a line he used in a rousing pre-match speech before the 4-0 comeback over Barcelona in 2019.
","elementId":"3efd2781-3123-49bd-afed-83e01c3b462e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
“I remember I said: ‘If we fail, then let’s fail in the most beautiful way,’” the Liverpool manager said. “And that’s exactly how I see it again. After last week’s game everyone in the stadium thought: ‘That’s it.’ But since then, a week later, I don’t think everybody thinks it’s already decided”.
","elementId":"99557259-3da4-40a6-bd18-ec82219f1fd2"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
The first goal will be crucial. A goal for the hosts, and the tie almost certainly is over. But an early goal for Liverpool and it’s very much game/tie on. Let’s see.
","elementId":"293b7a99-2892-4995-93c0-e34f305754d3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Kick-off: 8pm BST, or 9pm in Bergamo.
","elementId":"7fe475ae-cd8f-483e-8fa3-d8d795cdfca1"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1713462341000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"18.45 BST","blockLastUpdated":1713462051000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"18.40 BST","blockFirstPublished":1713462341000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"18.45 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"18.45","title":"Preamble","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Thu 18 Apr 2024 19.37 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Thu 18 Apr 2024 18.45 BST"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile"}” config=”{"renderingTarget":"Web","darkModeAvailable":false}”>
Key events
Some musings from a couple of Liverpool fans, via email.
“Much like I felt before the Barcelona second leg, I expect nothing but will simply watch and see how it plays out”, writes Joe Pearson. “To quote Tommy Shelby, ‘And I don’t care, ‘cause I’m already dead’!”
“Three-nil down at halftime?” asks Matt Dony. “Nothing to worry about. Bring on Hamann, and try to sneak an early goal.”
Villa have scored! They’ve barely had a kick, but Lille keeper Chevalier has dropped a clanger and Matty Cash bounced on the rebound, lashing a deflected area into the net. We’re in added time: it’s 2-1 on the night, 3-3 on agg, and we are heading towards extra time!
A timely column, from Max Rushden.
In other blow to the Best League in the World™, Aston Villa are currently losing 2-0 (and 3-2 on agg) at Lille. About 10 minutes to go in their second leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
“One of Bergamo’s notable sons is the early 19th-century composer Gaetano Donizetti,” emails Peter Oh. “Among his works is a semi-serious dramatic opera called Emilia di Liverpool, which features a happy ending for the main character, a member of the Liverpudlian noble class. I’m being semi-serious when I say that I would love to see a new opera written today, one with an unexpected twist of a happy Scouse ending. Jürgen di Liverpool!”
Liverpool at full-strength. It’s Alexander-Arnold’s first start since 10 February, while Gakpo is preferred to Darwin up top, with Endo left on the bench as Klopp opts for a more attacking midfield.
Atalanta make a couple of changes from the side that beat Liverpool last week. Former Arsenal defender Kolasinac returns from injury, while Russian forward Miranchuk is preferred to De Ketelaere.
The teams!
Atalanta: Musso, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, Ederson Silva, De Roon, Ruggeri, Miranchuk, Koopmeiners, Scamacca.
Subs: Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Bakker, Adopo, Carnesecchi, Rossi, Hateboer, Bonfanti.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Subs: Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Adrian, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Clark, Kelleher, Danns, Quansah.
Preamble
Another evening, another potential series of fixtures featuring English sides getting their ar$e handed to them by the rest of the pesky European elite! After Arsenal and Manchester City were sent tumbling out of the Champions League on Wednesday, our attention turns to the Europa League, where things are also looking dire for the English sides. West Ham are 2-0 down from their first leg against Bundesliga darlings Bayer Leverkusen, while Liverpool will attempt to bounce back from a shocking 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta. Won’t somebody think of the co-efficient?!
For the first time this season, 🏴England is NOT favoured to get the 5th Champions League spot.
This week's results have been about as bad as possible for England.
🇩🇪 Germany's excellent results now mean they are very likely to end in Top 2 this year instead — 93.4%! pic.twitter.com/RxxXZWEut5
— Nils Mackay (@NilsMackay) April 18, 2024
"}}” config=”{"renderingTarget":"Web","darkModeAvailable":false}”>
For the first time this season, 🏴England is NOT favoured to get the 5th Champions League spot.
This week’s results have been about as bad as possible for England.
🇩🇪 Germany’s excellent results now mean they are very likely to end in Top 2 this year instead — 93.4%! pic.twitter.com/RxxXZWEut5
— Nils Mackay (@NilsMackay) April 18, 2024
Atalanta were absolutely superb at Anfield, resolute in defence and clinical in attack. Jürgen Klopp made no excuses for his side’s first-leg defeat: “It was a really bad game, oh my God,” said the Liverpool manager after the game. “We started really well but didn’t continue. Before they scored we just lost the plot … we played a bad game, we deserved to lose. That’s how it is. Congratulations to Atalanta, really well done.”
Klopp was in a rather more philosophical mood this week, prior to Thursday’s match, admitting the situation reminded him of a line he used in a rousing pre-match speech before the 4-0 comeback over Barcelona in 2019.
“I remember I said: ‘If we fail, then let’s fail in the most beautiful way,’” the Liverpool manager said. “And that’s exactly how I see it again. After last week’s game everyone in the stadium thought: ‘That’s it.’ But since then, a week later, I don’t think everybody thinks it’s already decided”.
The first goal will be crucial. A goal for the hosts, and the tie almost certainly is over. But an early goal for Liverpool and it’s very much game/tie on. Let’s see.
Kick-off: 8pm BST, or 9pm in Bergamo.