Liverpool were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night as they failed to claw back their 3-0 first-leg deficit against Italian outfit Atalanta – managing to win only 1-0 on the night in Bergamo.
Jurgen Klopp was outclassed tactically by Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini last week at Anfield, as Gianluca Scamacca scored twice – and Mario Pasalic got another. Liverpool had to win by three goals.
But they could not do that – even if, Mo Salah scored an early penalty after a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold was handled. Liverpool could not build on the perfect start, even though they had the chances.
Stephen Warnock not impressed with Liverpool man Mo Salah
Indeed, Salah had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 – played through on goal and with the chance to lift the ball over the goalkeeper. But the Egyptian star got it all wrong, the ball bouncing wide of the goal.
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty ImagesThe game finished 1-0 and while it was a win and a clean sheet on the night, it was far from being enough to see Klopp’s men reach the semi-finals. Stephen Warnock criticised Salah for missing his huge chance.
“A simple ball over the top and Mo Salah shanks it – it is not good enough. A great opportunity, it’s not a difficult chance of Salah’s quality,” Warnock said, on BBC Live’s coverage of the Europa League clash.
Gary McAllister also criticised Salah’s effort to make it 2-0
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Liverpool icon McAllister said he would have put his mortgage on Salah finding the back of the net when put through. But his finish was lacking in quality and precision.
“It was the big chance, Salah’s chance. It fell beautifully on his left peg, you would have put your mortgage on him scoring it. It was an easy chance for someone of his ability – and he will rue that miss.”
The £34m man was not the only Liverpool man to receive criticism on Thursday, with Steve McManaman not having what he saw from Cody Gakpo. Liverpool’s focus now solely switches to the race for the title.
The post 'It is not good enough': Stephen Warnock not impressed with £34m Liverpool man vs Atalanta appeared first on TBR Football.