Liverpool knocked out of Europa League despite win over Atalanta as Jurgen Klopp decision on Mohamed Salah questioned

18/04/2024 22:59

Liverpool have crashed out of the Europa League despite Mohamed Salah’s penalty giving them a 1-0 win over Atalanta.

The Reds fell to a shock 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final clash to massively dent their hopes of reaching the final four.

Jurgen Klopp named a strong starting XI in the hopes of completing another memorable European comeback, but it wasn’t to be.

Liverpool were offered hope in the opening ten minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a Matteo Ruggeri handball.

Salah was the man to step up and he slotted it into the bottom-right corner as the Reds eyed a miraculous turnaround.

Atalanta responded with a strong defensive performance though and with 66 minutes on the clock, Klopp substituted his goal scorer.

It’s a decision that left Dean Ashton surprised when speaking on commentary for talkSPORT.

"I'm amazed it's Mohamed Salah because I think if you want anyone on the pitch it's him because of his goal scoring record,” he said.

“So that does surprise me he's gone off. It doesn't surprise me the changes have been made.”

Liverpool had chances to score a second that could have inspired an all-important third to take the tie to extra-time.

But Atalanta stayed strong and saw out the match despite going 1-0 down early on, securing their spot in the semi-finals.

Their first leg victory at Anfield was enough to carry them through to the final four even though they fell to defeat on home turf.

Liverpool were favourites to reach the final in Dublin next month but their European journey has now come to an end.

Premier League title glory is still a possibility though as they look to bring a successful end to Klopp’s tenure.