A resounding 1-1 draw at the Etihad. A 3-0 win against Leicester City. 20 points and second in the Premier League. It was all looking a little too good to be true at Anfield; things were going too well amid the injury crises; a reality check had to come at some point. And, courtesy of Atalanta, it has arrived to remind Jurgen Klopp of the mountain he has to climb this season.
The goals, coming in the second half, condemned the Reds to their first loss in the Champions League this season as a rotated side produced the most lacklustre of displays in front of an empty Anfield stadium. The fans didn’t miss out on much, though, as Josip Iličić opened the scoring before Robin Gosens completed a night to remember for Atalanta.
Liverpool pay Price for Lacklustre Display
Divock Origi Running Out of Time
With winning goals in Merseyside derbies, comeback completing strikes against Barcelona and a goal to hand Liverpool number six, Divock Origi’s name will forever be cemented in Liverpool folk law. But, there comes a time in every player’s career when one poor showing too many can lead to the turning of fans.
Origi’s heroics have provided the Anfield faithful with plenty of patience, but after failing to impress against Atalanta, his time is running out. Factoring in the emphatic arrival of Diogo Jota, too, it must be said that the Belgian’s importance to Jurgen Klopp is lessening by the game- with one poor touch too many against Atalanta unlikely to help his cause.
And, whilst the forward can’t carry the blame for the attacking performance as a whole, his lack of creativity alongside his seeming inability to provide the crucial linking of play, certainly didn’t help the Reds’ mobility when going forward.
It is nights like these when Roberto Firmino’s importance is realised. Jurgen Klopp described the forward’s role, saying “he plays like 12 instruments in our orchestra.” In contrast, when Origi takes a seat within what is usually a perfectly conducted orchestra, Liverpool begin to hit one out of tune note too many with the Belgian often the man unable to hit the needed notes.
Injury List Finally Takes Toll on Liverpool Against Atalanta
As previously mentioned, everything seemed to be all too bliss at Anfield amid what was labelled a crisis. A ruthless dispatching of Leicester to see Jurgen Klopp’s side to second left many wondering whether the Reds would be affected at all amid the so-called injury crisis.
Yet, a few days and a lacklustre 90 minutes later from a rotated side, and the reality check has hit of the challenges ahead. With Brighton & Hove Albion to come as soon as Saturday, too, a depleted Liverpool must revamp and go again in search of victory.
The defeat sees Atalanta reach the seven-point mark, two points away from group leaders Liverpool and level on points with Ajax- making the next tie against the Dutchman all the more important.
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