Liverpool suffered an abysmal 3-0 defeat to Atalanta on Thursday evening as their Europa League hopes hung by a thread.
It was nightmares for Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night, and Jurgen Klopp had no complaints.
Atalanta, who showed six changes from their weekend draw with Manchester United, exposed the flaws in his Liverpool side as his Reds thrashed the Serie A side 3-0. .
Klopp was very frank in his post-match comments: „I didn't like our tactical position. We gave them a situation by passing the ball and then everyone chased another guy. We scored offside but it was a poor game from us, Atalanta had a good game, scored three goals. And deserved to win.
„A lot of the show tonight was really 'Wow, wow, I didn't know they could play like that.' A lot of players were isolated at times. It was very bad.”
Oops. But who could Klopp be referring to with that criticism? Well, it's not hard to find out.
The Reds boss made three changes at half-time as he tried to find a way back into the game, and the withdrawn Harvey Elliott was very unlucky as his effort rebounded off the post and bar, and Curtis Jones made his way through. Returning from injury, there was no such dampener for Kostas Simikas' display.
The Greek has been woefully out of form and fitness and has looked worlds away from the man who impressively filled in for Andy Robertson for more than two months following the Scot's dislocated shoulder in October.
Like Simikas, Kaomhin Kelleher's display left much to be desired. The Irishman has been fantastic in Alisson's long absence, but he could have gone a game or two too far.
Fortunately for Klopp, Alisson is back in full training and Robertson is also getting up to speed. Those two should return to the starting XI for the remainder of the season as the Reds look to rediscover a solidity that has left them completely out of sorts here.
Klopp spun and was punished for it, but from here – perhaps the Bergamo second-leg hurdle he can throw away now – should be first choice all the way.
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