It’s fair to say that Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League last night was a result that few saw coming.
While the Italian side are talented, to say the least, most predicted another comfortable win for the Reds, especially following their 5-0 success in Italy at the beginning of the month.
Instead, they ended up completely outplayed by Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, with several pundits labelling it one of Liverpool’s worst performances under Jürgen Klopp for years.
That was undoubtedly what Gazzetta Dello Sport thought in their ratings after the game, with nobody in a red shirt coming away from it well.
For example, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are given 5.5, 5, and 5.5 respectively while youngster Neco Williams receives a 4.5. In fact, the only player to receive a score higher than 5.5 is Alisson, who gets a 6.5 for his display.
Overall Liverpool are given an average rating of five, which is the same score afforded to Klopp for his performance.
In contrast, Atalanta are given an average score of eight, the same score afforded to Gasperini.
Their lowest scorer is goalkeeper Gollini, who gets a 6.5, matching Liverpool’s highest score.
Gazzetta aren’t the only ones who were left unimpressed either. Marca also scored the Premier League champions lowly, with all but two players getting a one-star rating.
Those that don’t are Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, whose performances were apparently so bad that they didn’t warrant a score. Klopp is given a one like the rest of his squad.
All in all, a terrible evening for Liverpool, who will be hoping it was just a blip that can quickly be forgotten come the weekend.
