Liverpool’s most recent attempt at a European miracle was fruitless as they lost 3-1 on aggregate to Atalanta BC in the Europa League quarterfinals.

Due to the horrific 3-0 loss at Anfield last week, Jurgen Klopp’s team was already close to losing. Although Mohamed Salah’s early penalty gave them the advantage, they were unable to penetrate the opposition and were eliminated with a whimper.

Because of this, Klopp has led Liverpool in European play for the final time, barring a dramatic turnaround, although the German may still walk away with two domestic medals around his neck.

The EFL Cup winners will only compete for Premier League championships from now until the end of the season. They will resume their pursuit of elite status on Sunday when they go to Fulham, needing two points to catch up to leaders Manchester City.

After 36 years without making it to the last four, Atalanta celebrated their arrival in the European semi-final for the first time since the 1987–88 campaign. They will now play Marseille to earn a spot against Bayer Leverkusen or Roma in the championship game in Dublin.

Salah blows a golden opportunity following a strong penalty.

Three players were added back to the starting lineup after the weekend’s loss to Crystal Palace: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Cody Gakpo. These players were given the responsibility of leading another historic comeback in Europe.

After only seven minutes of play, the latter was back to his usual helpful self, albeit in an unusual way, as his cross found the outstretched arm of Matteo Ruggeri in the Atalanta box.

Salah, the all-time top scorer in Europe for Liverpool, took the penalty and scored emphatically. He then quickly returned the ball to the center circle as an enthusiastic Liverpool started their comeback attempt.

If Alisson Becker hadn’t pulled Virgil van Dijk’s sliced clearance out of danger in the 14th minute after the Dutchman made a mess of Teun Koopmeiners’s cross, Klopp’s team would have gone back to square one. Nevertheless, the offside flag was raised shortly after.

The unrelenting Liverpool pressure persisted, but in the 39th minute, after Gakpo’s deft ball over the top, Salah was unable to repeat his clinical style from the spot, spooning a lob over Juan Musso’s head but wide of the post.

After only two minutes, Koopmeiners had the ball in the net, but the offside call ended Atalanta’s jubilation, and Liverpool, with a slim advantage, still had the steepest of hills to climb in the second half.

Deflated Liverpool wanes in the second half

Gian Piero Gasperini’s team created a few openings in the last third early in the second half, but Alisson Becker was only forced into easy saves by Koopmeiners and Ederson, as a cutting edge continued to escape Klopp’s team.

But as the minutes ticked by, the Reds’ hopes of mounting a massive comeback dwindled. Just past the hour, Klopp took the audacious decision to substitute Salah as part of a triple change, bringing on Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, and Darwin Nunez as Atalanta upped the ante.

Following their intense 45-minute outburst, Klopp’s team appeared fatigued as the game neared its conclusion. Not only did La Dea easily quell their futile efforts, but they also had to shoulder a good amount of the defending duties.

The 18-year-old’s arrival could suddenly give Liverpool new life, and Gasperini could afford a beaming smile one minute before the referee’s whistle confirmed the Reds’ doom. Teenage striker Jayden Danns was put on for the final 10 in a last-ditch effort.

With two shots in the second half, Klopp’s team managed just 0.11 Expected Goals (xG). At full time, the Gewiss Stadium was illuminated by fireworks, and Atalanta fans were embracing on the pitch.