On February 25, after its success (1-0 ap) in the final of the English League Cup against Chelsea, Liverpool began to dream of an extraordinary quadruple for Jürgen Klopp’s last season as coach. Could this sweet dream be turning into a nightmare?
In any case, after being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Cup on the Manchester United pitch (3-4, March 17), the Reds – engaged in a breathtaking fight for the title with Arsenal and Manchester City, being second with as many points as the Gunners (71) and one more than the Citizens – will undoubtedly also have to give up on lifting the Europa League.
Because on Thursday evening, they were clearly defeated (0-3) in their Anfield lair, suffering their biggest defeat in the European Cup with two setbacks inflicted by Real Madrid (0-3 in October 2014 and 2- 5 in February 2023). This time it was inflicted on them by the astonishing Atalanta Bergamo of Giampiero Gasperini, who had already surprised Europe by reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2020 (eliminated by Paris-SG, 1-2) .
“We must be aware that we were very bad! »
Jurgen Klopp, coach of Liverpool
LFC will long remember Elliott’s incredible strike which hit both the post and then the bar, an extremely rare occurrence (26th). Because behind, Gianluca Scamacca, in Olympic form in recent weeks, offered himself a sumptuous double, with a shot from the right on a cross from Zappacosta (38th), then another from the left on a service from De Ketelaere ( 60th).
Before Pasalic amplified the score following a ball lost by Szoboszlai. As a symbol of Klopp’s vain coaching (the Hungarian midfielder entered at the break, like Mohamed Salah), appearing completely disappointed at the final whistle: “If we play well in the return, we can win. 3-0? I don’t know, I don’t even think about it… We must above all recover and be aware that we were very bad! »
The other big favorite of the competition, AC Milan, was also defeated at home (0-1). And this, by another resident of Serie A, the very solid AS Roma of Daniele De Rossi, who was satisfied with a resumption of Mancini’s header from a corner from Dybala (17th).
Bayer Leverkusen remains undefeated this season
Finally, the insatiable Bayer Leverkusen continued its incredible season of invincibility, offering itself a 37th victory in 42 matches (for five draws)! Almost assured of the title of German champion (16 points ahead of Bayern six days from the end) and finalists of the Cup (against Kaiserslautern, D2, on May 25), Xabi Alonso’s men have once again more displayed their incredible know-how in “money-time”. And this, by scoring by Hofman in the 83rd minute then by Boniface in the 90th + 1, to dominate West Ham (2-0). Implacable.
