Liverpool clashed heads with Atalanta at Gewiss Stadium earlier tonight hoping to secure another three points in the UEFA Champions League. The Reds made a brilliant start to the contest as Diogo Jota scored in the 16th minute with an excellent finish from a tight angle. It was the Portuguese striker who struck again after the half-hour mark when he found the back of the net with an emphatic strike. The Merseyside giants went into the half-time break two goals to the good.
The visitors were in the mood for a goal-scoring party after the interval with Salah and Mane both getting their names on the scoresheet before Diogo Jota completed his hattrick with another superb breakaway goal in the 54th minute. Jurgen Klopp’s men defended well and secured a dominant 5-0 win on the road.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against Atalanta.
GK: Alisson Becker – 8/10
The Brazilian keeper made a handful of world-class saves to keep his clean sheet intact. He was also excellent with his ball-distribution, especially in the second half.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8/10
The English right-back set-up up Jota’s first goal with a sublime pass. He also kept a good shape at the back before being subbed late in the game.
CB: Rhys Williams – 8/10
The youngster didn’t let the occasion get to him and produced a convincing display at the heart of the Liverpool defence. He deserves his clean sheet tonight.
CB: Joe Gomez – 8.5/10
The English centre-back marshalled the backline well and won a lot of aerial battles to restrict the opposition from finding the back of the net.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
The Scottish full-back was flawless when defending inside his half. He was also bright and energetic in the final third but got replaced after the hour mark.
CM: Curtis Jones – 7.5/10
Jones kept possession ticking in midfield and set up Mohamed Salah’s goal with a brilliant pass in the 47th minute.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 7/10
The Liverpool captain was a real bundle of energy at the centre of the park and led his team well during his time on the field.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
The Dutch midfield ace hardly gave away the ball and didn’t put a foot wrong in the game.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10
The Egyptian wide player scored a sensational breakaway goal after the half-time break and should have added another later on but was denied by Marco Sportiello.
ST: Diogo Jota – 10/10
The ex-Wolves striker scored three excellent goals and picked up an assist as well in just 65 minutes. It was a marvellous display from him tonight.
LW: Sadio Mane – 8/10
The Senegalese wide player worked hard to run the channels and got himself a goal with his chipped finish from a tight angle. He also set-up Jota’s hattrick goal as well.
Substitutes:
CM: James Milner – 7/10
The English veteran played as a left-back and was then moved on to midfield. He did well in both those positions on his way to seeing out the win with the clean sheet intact.
CM: Naby Keita – 6/10
Keita made a couple of energetic runs but didn’t show enough invention after coming off the bench.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 6/10
The Brazilian forward had a few bright moments but never looked like he had a goal in him.
LB: Konstantinos Tsimikas – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
RB: Neco Williams – N/A
He didn’t have enough time to influence the game.
