LIVERPOOL'S season is is danger of falling apart and they face a Herculean task to justify their long-term Europa League favouritism with a trip to face Atalanta this week.
What was meant to be Jurgen Klopp's triumphant farewell with a four-trophy haul has crumbled recently and there is a very real chance the German will sail into the Merseyside sunset with only a paltry Carabao Cup under his wings.
A week from hell saw them drop two points at bitter rivals Manchester United in the league, get thrashed at home by the Italians in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Europa League ar Anfield and then lost at home to Crystal Palace in the league to give champions Manchester City a huge initiative to regain their flag.
It seems like the wheels have fallen off at the wrong time and they will need to overturn a 3-0 home first leg deficit – something no team has managed in Europe ever!
Atalanta were on Monday night action against Verona and drew 2-2 to leave them in sixth place in Serie A.
How the bookies view it
It's not often you get a team in Europe who get thrashed at home in the first leg who go on to be odds-on favourites in the second leg, but the layers clearly think last week was a one-off freak result and have backed Liverpool to at leat win the game at 4/6 with bet365.
Atalanta are 10/3 with William Hill and the draw is 7/2 with Paddy Power.
However, Liverpool are 5/1 to qualify with BetVictor and Atalanta 1/7 with Coral.
Recent head to heads
Liverpool can at least take some comfort knowing that they won 5-0 in their only game in Bergamo in the Champions League four years ago.
Atalanta have now won twice at Anfield.
Players to watch
Gianluca Scamacca has been in brilliant recent form with seven goals in seven games including a double at Anfield and a goal on Monday night. He is 23/10 to score with BetVictor.
Mo Salah has looked out of sorts for a few weeks now, but now would be a good time for the Egyptian to kick into gear. He is 26/25 to score anytime with UniBet.
Anything else catch the eye?
The first thing to say here is Liverpool ARE capable to clawing back the deficit and qualifying…but you absolutely can't be backing them at odds-on in Bergamo.
When a team don't take their many chances, they are asking for trouble and combined with a sudden vulnerability at the back spells trouble. They looked leggy and flat against Palace on Sunday.
The first leg win hardly a fluke – Atalanta had two more shots on target than Liverpool and the hosts have won three and drawn one of their four Europa League home games.
It's tempting to back Atalanta on their own at a frankly outrageous price, but the 6/5 on the double chance of a home win or a draw with Paddy Power has to be backed here.
With Liverpool having to go for it, they could be wide open here. Back the hosts to score at least two goals at 6/4 with bet365.
This UEFA Europa League match between Atalanta and Liverpool will be played on Apr 18, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Atalanta vs Liverpool prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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