Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, made a 80th minute cameo appearance last night as his Italian Serie A side, Atalanta, knocked out Liverpool from the quarter final stage of the Europa League.
Although the Reds won the away second leg in Italy via Mohamed Salah‘ lone seventh minute penalty goal, the 3-0 deficit from the first leg at Anfield last Thursday had done enough damage. Trent Alexander-Arnold cross was handled in the box to give Liverpool hope of upturning the deficit but that was not to be.
As the first half drew to a close, the Egypt forward lofted well wide when put through one-on-one, but Klopp’s side struggled to create meaningful openings in the second period.
It marks the end of a difficult 12 days for the Reds, who drew at Manchester United and lost at home to Crystal Palace to surrender their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Attention will now turn back to the title race with Liverpool sitting third behind second-placed Arsenal and two points off leaders Manchester City.
The league now represents their final chance to give Klopp a fairytale ending to his eight and a half years on Merseyside and add to their success in the Carabao Cup in February.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
