Just when it looks like injuries will stop the juggernaut that is Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s team ticks right along. The Reds head into matchday 4 of the Champions League unbeaten in eight straight games in all competitions. Six of those matches finished in wins.
One of those wins came on Champions League matchday 3 against Atalanta. The Reds went to Bergamo and ran riot against Atalanta, winning 5-0.
Now, humbled, La Dea head to Merseyside seeking redemption against a team unbeaten in 64 straight home games. Atalanta are winless in six of their last eight games in all competitions. Three straight matches finished without a win.
After losing to Liverpool, 5-0 on matchday 3, La Dea drew back-to-back games in Serie A. Atalanta are third in Group D, level on points with second-placed Ajax. The Dutch team are ahead of Atalanta due to away head-to-head goals.
Injuries could play havoc with Liverpool’s attempts to win and seal progression to the knockout stage. Klopp is without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Jordan Henderson could also miss out due to a muscle strain and Xherdan Shaqiri is ruled out with his own muscle issue.
Midfielder Naby Keita suffered a thigh muscle injury on Sunday night. He is likely to miss the game as is Thiago Alcantara.
Gian Piero Gasperini has three players that could miss out on the trip to Merseyside. Ruslan Malinovsky is ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19. Fabio Depaoli is likely to miss the game but Mattia Caldera could be fit in time.
Nine of Liverpool’s 14 games this season have finished with over 2.5 goals scored. The Reds have scored 36 goals in all competitions for an average of 2.57 scores per game.
The Reds have allowed 18 goals for an average of 1.29 per match. The defence has improved and now has six clean sheets.
Atalanta’s goals have dried up recently. Since Liverpool won 5-0, Atalanta have scored just once in their last two matches. La Dea have scored once in the last 270 minutes of football. Atalanta average 2.18 goals per game and 1.91 goals allowed per fixture.
Liverpool need a win to seal progression to the last 16. Klopp’s team are playing great in spite of the injuries suffered. If more players can get fit, then the sky is the limit for Liverpool.
Expect more than 2.5 goals scored once more between these teams as Liverpool post a victory on Wednesday night.