Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson accepts it will be “difficult” for the Reds to replicate their stunning 2019 comeback against Barcelona when they face Atalanta in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.
Liverpool’s hopes of reaching the Europa League semi-finals are hanging by a thread after Atalanta clinched a surprise 3-0 win at Anfield in last week’s first leg, with Gianluca Scamacca netting twice.
Jurgen Klopp’s men then followed that result by losing 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, slipping two points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
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Liverpool travel to Bergamo for the second leg of their European tie on Thursday requiring a miraculous comeback, but they have been here before.
They lost 3-0 in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona in May 2019, only to storm back with a memorable 4-0 win at Anfield en route to lifting the trophy.
Asked if he saw similarities between that tie and this clash with Atalanta, Alisson said: “Not so many, apart from the first result.
📍 Stadio di Bergamo#UEL PIC.TWITTER.COM/Q9UPYKPXWI
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) APRIL 17, 2024
“We’re playing the second leg away, that time we played the second leg at home. There are different players, it’s a different competition.
“There are more differences than similarities. It’s a different situation and we have to deal with it.”
While Alisson regrets Liverpool’s lack of home advantage, he insists they travel to Italy full of belief, adding: “We did great things, great achievements, in the past.
“Through the history of football, we have seen teams overcoming bad results to turn it around and qualify for the next round like this.
“Of course, we have to believe in ourselves, but in my opinion it’s a really difficult situation. The way the opponent played at our home showed their quality and how tough the game tomorrow will be.
“We come here with the goal of improving our performance and playing better as a team, avoiding mistakes and doing better with the things we have to do better. Then we’ll see the result.”
