Liverpool FC Forum

Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, known as Atalanta, based in Bergamo, Lombardy. Founded in 1907 by Swiss students in the gym of the liceo classico, their stadium is the 21,300 seat Gewiss Stadium. The club qualified for the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League for the first time after finishing 3rd in the 2018–19 Serie A, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Now their second CL competition.

Atalanta are currently 4th in the Serie A after 6 games, 4 points behind Milan in top.
Their best player is Papu Gomez with a performance index of347, with 4goals and 4 assists. With 10 shots on goal and a conversion rate of 18.18 he is at the moment 10 in the Seria A. Their best defender is Berat Djimsiti with 37 pass interceptions, ranked number 117 of all top 5 European league defensive players and number 46 in the overall ranking of the Seria A.

For Liverpool:
Our best player is Sadio Mané with a performance index of 392, 4 goals and 4 assists. With 10 shots on goal and a conversion rate of 20 he is at the moment 2 in the Premier League. Our best defender is Joe Gomez with total 37 pass interceptions, ranked 113 of all top 5 European league defensive players and number 250 in the overall ranking of the Premier League. Mo Salah is our top scorer with 7 goals, 13 shots on goal and a conversion rate of 23.33 percent his stats stand out.

In principle we should rumble this side, we just need to play very tight, controlled football.

The good news is that Shaqiri was included  in our CL squad when it was announced so in theory we have that back up partnership of Shaq and Jota to roll out on 70 minutes:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Adrian, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas.
Midfielders: Fabinho, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri, Harvey Elliott
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota

I don't see Rhys Williams in the squad, however Kloppo said he was however we're still looking very stretched at the back, even with Joel back in training a question mark must remain over his ability to stay fit.

Shaq's through pass to Jota on Saturday from a pitch view perspective.
https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1322993060502974468
was nearly as good as this one:
https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1323370547816787968
He thinks fast Shaq and manages to get his passes away equally fast.

Naby Keita and Joel Matip have returned to full training, Jürgen Klopp has confirmed but the Reds will make a late decision on their involvement against Atalanta.
Thiago Alcantara didn't train with the squad yesterday which suggests his injury is worse than first believed. We have sufficient strength in depth however to overcome that as in truth, Thiago hasn't started his Liverpool career yet... Gini has to get his head right after his woeful performance against West Ham.

Klopp's press conference ref selection etc..
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first- ... aqiri-role

"We have more centre halves available than can line up."  "Atalanta are set up the same way as Leeds".

If we play it right, we should beat these lads 0-2.  Mane and Jota.

All rise.

I'm glad I took the time to write up this pre-match introduction....  bunch of soft lads.