Steve McManaman has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's dismal 3-0 defeat by Atalanta on Thursday night, claiming that there 'was a lot for Jurgen Klopp to explain'. The Reds haven't lost at Anfield since they were beaten by Real Madrid 5-2 in the Champions League in February 2023. Despite that, a brace from Gianluca Scamacca and a late goal from Mario Pasalic now means that Liverpool have it all to do in the return fixture in Italy. 'This victory means more to them [Atalanta] of course because last time Liverpool had qualified and changed the team,' McManaman said to TNT Sports. 'This time this is against the favourites at Anfield, the favourites who people expected to walk to Dublin. Steve McManaman delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's 3-0 defeat by Atalanta McManaman claimed on TNT Sport's coverage of the game that the 'wheels have come off' The result now means that Jurgen Klopp's side will have to overcome a three-goal deficit to advance to the semi-finals 'And woah! They've put a stop to that talk. And do you know what, they haven't deserved it tonight. Liverpool have been very average. READ MORE: Jamie Carragher blasts Liverpool's 'awful performance and result' after Europa League defeat by Atalanta - urging Jurgen Klopp to play his 'second string' in Italy to focus on Premier LeagueAdvertisement'They've been amazing this year and all the nice things that have been said about them, but tonight... Wow the wheels have come off. 'All the substitutions that have been made haven't had an impact as they have had this year. It will be interesting to see what the manager has to say when he explains it away... because there's a lot to explain!' Speaking on the return fixture, he added: 'They'll have to keep a clean sheet at Bergamo and they're finding that hard to do.' Liverpool have been in flying form of late, having suffered only one defeat in their last 10 matches - a 4-3 defeat by Man United in the FA Cup. But tonight, the Reds defensively gave Atalanta too many opportunities and failed to convert their own chances too, having 18 attempts on goal with only five of those shots hitting the target. Ex-Liverpool player Stephen Warnock echoed McManaman's comments, but praised Atalanta for their excellent performance. McManaman added that 'Liverpool did not deserve to win' the match and that they had been 'very average' Of their 18 attempts on goal, Liverpool managed a meagre five shots on target this evening 'Atalanta dominated Liverpool. They created so many chances,' he told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'Liverpool were poor. They were arguably the worst I have ever seen them. 'Wasteful in possession. So many mistakes all over the pitch but they looked tired. They looked like a team that has played 56 games in a season and you could just see tired minds and tired bodies. 'But take nothing away from Atalanta. They were magnificent. |
Katy Perry officially becomes owner of $15M home in celebEfforts to draft a pandemic treaty falter as countries disagree on how to respond to next emergencyCarlo Acutis set to become the first saint of the Millennial generationRed Bull's Horner 'surprised' that thwarted F1 bid by Andretti has become politicalDespite surging demand for longEngland football legend is in talks with Netflix to film a tellUK Parliament to break up ahead of election day with pomp, ceremony and hardFlorida braces for hurricane misery as NOAA warns 2024 season could be 'extraordinary'Kentucky governor takes action on Juneteenth holiday and against discrimination based on hairstylesReal Madrid wraps up Spanish league season against Betis before focusing on Champions League final