Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool ‘lost the ground’ in their shock 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Anfield.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca scored twice before Mario Pasalic added a third to leave Liverpool with a mountain to climb in Italy next Thursday.
It was their first home defeat in all competitions since Real Madrid beat them 5-2 in the Champions League in February 2023.
“It was just a really bad game, oh my God,” Klopp said.
“We started very well but we didn’t continue. We just lost the plot a little. We were everywhere and nowhere. The midfield was scattered. I didn’t recognize us. It was really strange. In football terms, it is a tactical discipline.
“We deserved to lose and we have to feel that now. The boys have this night to feel bad. Then we have to rebuild for Crystal Palace (in the Premier League on Sunday). Congratulations Atalanta, really well done.
When asked why Liverpool performed so poorly, Klopp added: “Atalanta causes problems for many teams with the way they defend.
“I don’t remember a situation where they dominated us, but they won the ball and went from there. It takes a lot of tactical discipline to do what they did. They marked all over the field. Male marking is uncomfortable when you’re not at your best.
“If you’re in a better playing mood than we were tonight, you can cause huge problems. We suffered from their way of defending.
Liverpool have launched improbable comebacks in Europe before, but Klopp is focused on ensuring this result does not negatively impact their Premier League title challenge.
“I’m not in the mood to think about the game in a week’s time. We have another match between the two,” he said.
“Now is not the time to make big noises about what we are going to do there. It was a low point for us in terms of performance tonight.
Liverpool return to action on Sunday with a home game against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, before visiting Bergamo to face Atalanta four days later.
(Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)