Premier League news conferences and European reaction

Image source, Getty Images

Atalanta’s convincing victory margin means this may well have been Jurgen Klopp’s final European night at Anfield before he steps down at the end of the season.

It is far too early to say, however, that this argument should be widened out to Liverpool’s Premier League form, where they currently stand level on points with Arsenal.

What will undoubtedly be a source of concern is how much stronger Atlanta looked physically and how they were able to carve through a Liverpool defence, still containing captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate despite a changed side, with such regularity.

Liverpool looked jaded but Klopp will be hoping this is a rare blemish at home and not a sign that “the wheels have come off” or a season in pursuit, at one point at least, of four trophies is now taking a heavy physical toll.

It certainly raises the stakes for Sunday’s home game with Crystal Palace, with Liverpool knowing they simply cannot afford to deliver another display as abject as the one against Atalanta with the title race so tight in the closing straight.

Jaded or simply a one-off? Liverpool will be determined to prove it is the latter on Sunday.