Atalanta vs Liverpool predictions: Reds looking to Jota for goals
- Atalanta won first leg 3-0
- Liverpool beat Atalanta away 5-0 in November 2020
- Recommended bet: Diogo Jota to score anytime
Liverpool need goals as they aim to pull off a remarkable recovery against Atalanta in the Europa League and Diogo Jota might be the man to provide a much-needed spark.
The Reds head to Bergamo knowing they are huge underdogs to progress following last week’s shock 3-0 defeat at Anfield.
There appears little prospect of a famous comeback as Klopp's men have struggled for goals in recent games, with Sunday's damaging league defeat to Crystal Palace the latest occasion when they have been profligate in front of goal.
However, they do at least have fit-again Jota, who has come off the bench in the past two games, to turn to and he will hope to inspire the visitors on Thursday night.
Team news
Atalanta defenders Giorgio Scalvini and ex-Arsenal man Sead Kolasinac are both doubts with injuries but Marten de Roon and Davide Zappacosta are available after recent suspensions.
Ademola Lookman and Aleksey Miranchuk are options for boss Gian Piero Gasperini if he opts to shuffle his pack.
Liverpool will be without Conor Bradley after he twisted his ankle against Palace, so fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to return in his place at right-back.
If Klopp decides to ring the changes then Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo could all start, while Jota is set to come in for either Nunez or Luis Diaz.
Joel Matip, Ben Doak and Thiago Alcantara remain sidelined, but Stefan Bajcetic has recovered from his long-term injury and should be in the squad.
The stats
Jota scored a hat-trick away to Atalanta in the 2020-21 group stage when Liverpool won 5-0 in a behind-closed doors tie.
Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in all competitions since March 2 — a run of nine games.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca, who scored twice in the first leg, has 14 goals in total for La Dea this season, including five in the Europa League.
Atalanta threw away a 2-0 lead at home on Monday to draw 2-2 with Verona in Serie A.
Prediction
The way Liverpool are playing at the moment, overturning a three-goal deficit at Atalanta looks too big an ask.
The Reds have been wasteful in front of goal but they have also lacked energy and rhythm of late as a long season appears to have taken its toll.
Despite that, they are sure to give it a go in Italy so we may well be in for an entertaining evening in Bergamo.
Expect Klopp's side to score in the second leg to give themselves hope but the likelihood is they will also concede and that could ultimately cost them.
It is not just in attack where the Reds have had problems.
Keeping clean sheets have been an issue as well and against an Atalanta side that has scored in every Europa League game so far – that is 13 goals in total – they look to be up against it as they try to pull off a great escape.
We should expect goals and with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez misfiring up front it could be Jota, who looks set to start a match for the first time since mid-February, who shows his team-mates how to do it.
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