Atalanta vs Liverpool Preview & UEL Odds
La Dea Shock Liverpool at Anfield
Liverpool Need a Miracle
In one of the most shocking results of recent memory, Atalanta went to Anfield last Thursday and came away with a 3-0 win over Liverpool. Now, heading into the second leg of the Europa League Quarter-Final, Liverpool need a miracle. They famously overturned a 3-0 deficit to Barcelona in the Champions League in 2019, but the second leg is on the road this time. The Reds also lost at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday in the Premier League, and their season is in danger of unraveling. As Liverpool attempt to try to overturn their deficit, we’ll take a look at the odds and team news in our Atalanta vs Liverpool preview.
Atalanta vs Liverpool
Location: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy
Day/Time:
Atalanta vs Liverpool Head-to-Head
Atalanta vs Liverpool previews note that these teams have only met three times previously. Last Thursday, Atalanta took the lead in the 38th minute on a clever bit of play from Teun Koopmeiners, who found Davide Zappacosta on the wing. Zappacosta sent in a cross for Gianluca Scamacca, which he finished off. Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher perhaps should have done better on Scamacca’s shot.
Scamacca doubled Atalanta’s lead in the second half, and Mario Pasalic added a third for good measure. Almost no Europa League predictions had Atalanta winning the match. As La Dea improved to 2-0 at Anfield all-time, it was Liverpool’s first loss at home in their last 34 matches. Atalanta handed Liverpool just their second 3-0 loss at Anfield in the Reds’ European history. In the only match between these sides in Bergamo, Liverpool won 5-0 in November 2020.
Unpredictable Atalanta Blow Lead on Sunday
Atalanta deserve a lot of credit for their performance last week in England. The 3-0 result over Liverpool was one of the most unbelievable Europa League scores in recent years. Now, the name of the game is holding on to the lead. Liverpool usually cannot be counted out, and La Dea needs to be careful. Over the weekend, Atalanta took on Verona at home in Serie A and blew a two-goal cushion, which is a concerning sign. Scamacca got on the scoresheet again and set up Ederson for Atalanta’s second goal.
However, Darko Lazovic got one back for Verona in the second half, Minutes later, Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi misjudged a cross that Tijjani Noslin beat him to. That allowed Verona to equalize, and the match finished level at two. Carnesecchi has been great for La Dea this season but Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to stick with second string keeper Juan Musso in Europa League games.
Atalanta have won just one of their last four games and it’s clear that they play up, or down, to their opponents. Despite the inconsistency with results, Scamacca has been superb lately. The Italian international striker has been putting together his best case to start for the Azzurri at the Euros this Summer. He’s scored six goals in his last five games, in all competitions. At the moment, defender Giorgio Scalvini is the only La Dea player out injured.
Liverpool Lose Back-to-Back Games at Anfield
Liverpool have suffered two straight defeats at Anfield for the first time since 2021. Following the 3-0 loss to Atalanta, the Reds fell 1-0 to Crystal Palace on Sunday in the Premier League. Now, both their UEL and EPL title hopes are in jeopardy. They can still pull this Europa League fixture back, but it’s going to take clinical finishing and more organized defending. Liverpool have wasted chance after chance in recent weeks.
With a 4-2 record, Liverpool finished in first place in the Group E Europa League table and entered the knockout stage as UEL favorites. Liverpool was ruthless in the Round of 16 vs. Sparta Prague, which they defeated 11-2 over two legs. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet since March 2nd. They’ve conceded in nine consecutive games, but they do have first-string keeper Allison back from an injury now.
Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also back in the fold, which should certainly give the Reds a boost on Thursday. This is Klopp’s last season as Liverpool manager, and we’ll see what they’re made of on Thursday. If anyone is known for comebacks, it’s certainly Liverpool, who have managed some incredible results during the Klopp era. This week, Thiago, Joel Matip, and Conor Bradley all figure to miss out due to injury, though.
Atalanta vs Liverpool Analysis & Odds
Our Atalanta vs Liverpool preview notes that Liverpool is the only team to go on the road to Atalanta and defeat them by more than three goals in the last ten years. That 2020 match, which finished 5-0 to Liverpool, was a group stage Champions League contest. Even though it was behind closed doors and without the Atalanta fans, there is somewhat of a precedent here. Jota, who recently returned from an injury, scored a hat trick in that match.
Plus, in each of the three previous games between these UEL teams, the road team has managed a shutout victory. That’s something to keep in mind as Liverpool are -155 favorites for Thursday’s match, and Atalanta, under 1.5 goals, sits at -190 odds. Bettors may also want to consider Liverpool -1 at -110 if they think the Reds have a chance to pull this one back.
Liverpool have managed four wins by a three-goal margin or more in this season’s Europa League alone. They’ll need to win by at least three goals to force extra time and four or more to advance automatically. Still, Atalanta +1 does come in at -120. Atalanta are +335 underdogs for Thursday’s game, but not many expect them to pull off two straight wins over Liverpool. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a few goals here as over 3, 3.5 goals are priced at -120 odds.
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