Liverpool FC news recap: Reds bow out in Bergamo, RECORD set, defender LINKS | OneFootball

Here’s our Liverpool FC news recap for Thursday 18th April 2024. The Reds bowed out of the UEFA Europa League to Atalanta.

That's it - Jurgen Klopp won't manage another Liverpool European night. The Reds beat Atalanta in Bergamo but lost 3-1 on aggregate.

In truth, it was an incredibly disappointing night. Liverpool raced into a lead but never added to it - or really threatened to beyond the first-half.

Liverpool FC news recap: Reds bow out in Bergamo, RECORD set, defender LINKS 5 mins ago by Alex Caple

Salah successor IDENTIFIED, €80m Sporting CP TARGET and Thiago EXIT - Liverpool FC News Recap 10 mins ago by Arjun Subramanian

Damning statistics highlight Liverpool's offensive struggles against Atalanta 18 mins ago by Daryl Finch

That's the news that dominated the day, of course, and here's our Liverpool FC news recap fro April 18th.

Liverpool out of Europa League

Liverpool knew their chances of progressing in the UEFA Europa League were slim at best. They needed to win by three goals away at Atalanta just to take things to extra-time.

Atalanta v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Gewiss Stadium Liverpool s Mohamed Salah right and Atalanta s Ederson left battle for the ball during the UEFA Europa League, quarter-final second leg match at the Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy. Picture date: Thursday April 18, 2024. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xLucaxRossinix 75920333

But it looked possible after seven minutes. Mohamed Salah converted a penalty to send the Reds in front on the night and with plenty of time to find the other necessary goals.

Only, Liverpool created very little after that and what they did create wasn't finished well. Salah had the best chance but fluffed his lines spectacularly.

The second half simply petered out. Liverpool managed just two shots after the break and neither were a genuine threat to score. So out they went.

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Damning stats sum it up

One of the main reasons for the Reds' lack of creation can be seen in the statistics.

Luis Diaz Liverpool Fc looks dejected, UEFA Europa League 2023/2024 - Quarter-Final, Atalanta vs Liverpool Fc, Gewiss Stadium, April 18, 2024, Bergamo, Italy.

Amazingly, the two Liverpool players with the most touches were centre-back Ibrahima Konate(106) and goalkeeper Alisson Becker (105).

The Brazilian completed 82 passes (the most by any player on the pitch), and the most by a goalkeeper since Opta's records began.

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Klopp breaks Liverpool record

Jurgen Klopp broke a Liverpool club record with one decision against Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League. He even managed to extend it.

Db Bergamo 18/04/2024 - Europa League / Atalanta-Liverpool / foto Daniele Buffa/Image nella foto: Jurgen Klopp PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA

Jurgen Klopp saw out his final European night with Liverpool on Thursday - and it was a miserable one. The Reds needed to win 3-0, of course, and it looked incredibly possible when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty inside seven minutes.

Only, the Reds never really offered anything after that. Salah had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 but spurned it. Other than that, Liverpool had no great chances.

But there was reason for optimism. Klopp actually managed to break a club record on the night and it's one that highlights a bright future at Liverpool even after he leaves.

Opta's Michael Reid points out that Klopp handed out the 174th appearance of the season to a player 21 or younger with the introduction of Harvey Elliott on 67 minutes.

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Liverpool like Diomande

And now come the renewed links with Diomande, with Liverpool and Newcastle both tracking his progress, according to FootballTransfers.

Ousmane Diomande during Liga Portugal 23/24 game between Boavista FC and Sporting CP at Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI, Porto, Portugal. Maciej Rogowski Porto Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI Portugal Copyright: xMaciejxRogowskix boavista-sporting-30-10-2023-084

The Ivorian, 20, has been a hit in Lisbon since moving from Midtjylland in January 2023, signing a contract until 2027 for a fee of only €7.5 million, potentially rising to €12.5m.

Diomande’s contract contains a release clause of €80m, which the Portuguese club intend to cash in on fully if he is to be sold this summer.

The Reds are in the market for a new defender with considerable doubts over the fitness of Ibrahima Konate and the uncertainty over the future of Joel Matip.

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