Steve McManaman has given a scathing assessment of Liverpool’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Atalanta on Thursday night, claiming “Jürgen Klopp had a lot of explaining to do.”
The Reds have not lost at Anfield since being beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid in the Champions League in February 2023.
Despite that, a double from Gianluca Scamacca and a late goal from Mario Pasalic now mean Liverpool have everything to do in the second leg in Italy.
‘This victory means more to them [Atalanta] “Of course, because last time Liverpool qualified and changed teams,” McManaman told TNT Sports. “This time it’s against the favorites at Anfield, the favorites that people expected to walk to Dublin.
Steve McManaman gave scathing assessment of Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta
McManaman stated in TNT Sport’s coverage of the game that “the wheels have come off”
The result now means Jurgen Klopp’s side will have to overcome a three-goal deficit to progress to the semi-finals.
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‘And wow! They have put an end to that talk. And you know what, they didn’t deserve it tonight. Liverpool have been very normal.
‘They’ve been amazing this year and all the good things that have been said about them, but tonight… Wow, the wheels have come off.
‘All the substitutions that have been made have not had the impact that they have had this year. It will be interesting to see what the manager has to say when he explains it… because there is a lot to explain!’
Speaking about the second leg, he added: “They will have to keep a clean sheet in Bergamo and they are finding it difficult to do so.”
Liverpool have been in great form of late, having suffered just one defeat in their last 10 games – a 4-3 loss to Man United in the FA Cup.
But tonight, the Reds defensively gave Atalanta too many chances and also failed to capitalize on their own opportunities, having 18 attempts on goal and only five of those shots hitting the target.
Former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock echoed McManaman’s comments but praised Atalanta for their excellent performance.
McManaman added that “Liverpool didn’t deserve to win” the game and that they had been “very normal”
Of their 18 attempts on goal, Liverpool managed just five shots on goal tonight.
‘Atalanta dominated Liverpool. They created a lot of opportunities,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Liverpool were poor. They were arguably the worst I have ever seen in my life.
‘A waste in possession. Many mistakes throughout the field but they seemed tired. They looked like a team that had played 56 games in one season and you could see tired minds and bodies.
But let’s not take anything away from Atalanta. They were magnificent.