7 months ago
113 Liverpool play host to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash at Anfield on Thursday night, and Gian Piero Gasperini has given his honest verdict on the Anfield atmosphere.
Jurgen Klopp is just a couple of months away from leaving Liverpool this summer but is still on course to possibly finish the season with three trophies. Tonight’s game is another crucial match in the hunt for that.
The Reds play host to a dangerous Serie A side in Atalanta that have now been coached by Gasperini for almost eight years. The 66-year-old joined Atalanta in the summer of 2016, managing 372 matches since.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp played against Gasperini’s Atalanta back in 2020, without fans in attendance. A 2-0 home loss against Gasperini, but Liverpool did win 5-0 in Italy. It will be a tough test on Thursday.
What the Atalanta boss thinks about Liverpool ground Anfield
What could determine a result tonight, is that Liverpool are in stunning form while Atalanta are not. The Serie A side have managed just two wins in their last nine games in all competitions. Far from their best.
Gasperini returns to Anfield tonight, then, four years after his last visit in which he picked up a 2-0 win. He says he cannot wait to experience the Anfield atmosphere, missing out last time with no fans allowed in.
“It’s always a thrill to come here, to one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe. Last time there wasn’t an audience and it was a disappointment, now we’ll see the real Anfield,” Gasperini said, as per TMW.
Gian Piero Gasperini on whether Liverpool will be distracted
Liverpool are of course in the midst of a Premier League title race, with the League probably going to take preference for Klopp given the Reds have only won it once during his tenure, and many years beforehand.
Rio Ferdinand predicts Liverpool will reach the final. Will Liverpool be distracted? Hardly. The players, even if changes are made, will want to win every match from here on in to send Klopp off in the best way.
Gasperini is fully aware of that. Asked if the title race in the Premier League could distract Liverpool ahead of tonight’s game, Gasperini said that even if they make changes, he does not expect a distracted side.
“Not a comma, they are never distracted. Even if they change elements they always play with continuity and attention, as well as intensity. Their rhythm is the same,” Gasperini added, during his interview.
The post 'Now we'll see': Atalanta manager delivers verdict on Anfield atmosphere ahead of Liverpool clash appeared first on TBR Football.
