| Match info: | |
| Venue: | Anfield, Liverpool |
| Time and date: | April 11, at 20:00 |
| Teams | Liverpool vs Atalanta |
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Liverpool host Atalanta in quarter-final first leg
Atalanta travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the first leg of the Europa League Quarter-final.
Liverpool
Liverpool are favourites to win the Europa League. Jurgen Klopp’s side have already secured the EFL Cup and are involved in an exciting three-way battle for the Premier League.
Ahead of last weekend, Liverpool topped the Premier League table ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City. But the 2-2 draw against Manchester United saw them drop to second. In the Europa League, Liverpool advanced from their group as winners before crushing Sparta Prague 11-2 on aggregate in the round of 16.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah have been in excellent form in the Europa League. Nunez has five goals and one assist, while Salah’s record is four goals and four assists.
Before the first leg at home against Atalanta, there are several players on Liverpool’s injury list. Goalkeeper Allison Becker is still not fully fit and the same also applies to Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Thiago Alcantara’s status is unknown.
Atalanta
Atalanta know that a trip to Anfield is a tough task, The Italians’ European heritage has been built recently during one of the best periods in their history and, while Gian Piero Gasperini’s side travel to England as clear underdogs they will be looking to come away with a result which keeps them in the tie.
Their 2-0 victory in their only previous visit to Anfield during the COVID-19 pandemic was one of their best ever results.
Their Serie A season didn’t get off to the best of starts, but Atalanta picked up two wins and a draw from their first three Europa League games. They finished as winners of Group D with four wins and two draws, earning them a place in the round of 16 against Sporting Lisbon. The first meeting in that fixture ended 1-1 in Portugal before Gasperini’s side overturned a 0-1 deficit to win 2-1 in front of the home fans in Bergamo.
At the time of writing, only Giorgio Scalvini looks set to miss the meeting with Liverpool at Anfield. The talented centre-back is out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until the end of April. Most things point to the 20-year-old not having time to be ready for the return leg on April 18 either.
Starting XI Liverpool vs Atalanta
Regardless of a number of interruptions due to injuries, Liverpool’s line-up will still be full of quality and present a tough opponent at Anfield.
Liverpool’s likely starting XI: Liverpool – Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson – Endo, Szoboszlai, MacAllister – Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Atalanta are expected to continue with their proven back three system teeming with attacking threats. The visitors will need to be disciplined and mentally focused to meet the challenges posed by the Anfield crowd.
Teun Koopmeiners, who has scored 10 league goals this season and has been linked with Liverpool, could start in midfield for the Italian side. Former Everton winger Ademola Lookman is also part of Atalanta’s squad and, like Koopmeiner’s, is expected to be part of the starting eleven.
Atalanta’s likely starting eleven: Musso – Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac – Holm, Ederson, de Roon, Bakker – Koopmeiners, Lookman, Scamacca
Liverpool vs Atalanta odds
Most things point towards Liverpool progressing. Liverpool are cleat favourites with the bookies to progress to the semi-finals. For the first leg, bet365 make Liverpool 3/10 favourites.
Anfield, Liverpool
Odds correct at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.
Prediction
Liverpool have swept through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League in convincing fashion. An 11-2 aggreagte win over Sparta Prague in the round of 16 will serve as a warning to Atalanta. Liverpool are incredibly strong at Anfield, where they are unbeaten in all competitions since the Autumn of 2022. Atalanta are a good side, but Liverpool will have too much for them. Home win.
Betting tip
In order to get better value, it might be worth backing Liverpool at -1.5 in Asian Handicap. If Klopp’s team hit somewhere near their best form a victory by a two-goal margin is a definate possibility.ç
Anfield, Liverpool
Odds are correct at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.
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