Liverpool are away at Atalanta in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, hoping to overturn their 3-0 defeat in the first leg. We’re live to bring you the latest.

Kickoff at the Stadio di Bergamo is 8pm (UK), the referee is Francois Letexier.

Tonight’s blog is run by Sam Millne, get involved by Tweeting @thisisanfield, @sam_millne & in the comments below.

Atalanta: Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Scamacca, Miranchuk

Subs: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Bakker, Adopo, Hateboer, Bonfanti

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas, Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott, Clark, Nunez, Jota, Danns

Our coverage updates automatically below:

Adblock test (Why?)

Diogo Jota was a surprise omission from Liverpool’s starting lineup for the Europa League decider at Atalanta, with Luis Diaz starting over the No. 20.

In the buildup to Thursday night’s quarter-final second leg, Jota had been widely expected to make his first start in two months.

But when the teamsheet was released just over an hour before kickoff in Bergamo, the Portuguese was a notable absentee from Jurgen Klopp‘s XI.

• READ: Confirmed Liverpool lineup vs. Atalanta: Trent and Gakpo start

Diaz kept his place on the left flank with Cody Gakpo starting up front, while Jota was named on the bench alongside Darwin Nunez.

According to TNT Sports, in their pre-match coverage, it came due to the 27-year-old picking up a knock during preparations.

Jota’s issue was clearly not serious enough to rule him out entirely, and he is likely to come off the bench as Liverpool look to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the home leg.

The forward missed seven-and-a-half weeks prior to his return due to a knee injury, with various issues limiting him to just 18 starts this term.

Mohamed Salah is the third name in Klopp’s forward line, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones providing support from midfield.

Alexis Mac Allister will start in the No. 6 role, operating in front of a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

Alisson makes his second start since returning from a hamstring injury, while the likes of Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch and Jayden Danns are also on the bench alongside Jota and Nunez.

Adblock test (Why?)

Jurgen Klopp makes three changes to the side that started against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Cody Gakpo among those coming into the side against Atalanta.

The Reds are in Bergamo, Italy, seeking to overturn a dire 3-0 defeat in the first leg against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

Alisson makes his first start in this competition since October, when Caoimhin Kelleher was sidelined due to injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold makes his first start February 2, joining Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson in defence.

Dominik Szoboszlai returns in midfield, having been on the bench for the last two games. He joins Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones.

Up front, Mo Salah is joined by Gakpo and Luis Diaz, with Darwin Nunez dropped to the bench.

From the side that started against Palace, Conor Bradley (injured), Wataru Endo and Nunez are the three to drop out the side, replaced by Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai and Gakpo.

It means there’s a strong bench to call on, with Nunez, Diogo Jota and Jayden Danns the forward options.

With just three wins in their last eight games in all competitions, Klopp’s side need a vastly improved team performance to progress to the semi final stage.

Kick off in Italy is 8pm BST.

Liverpool lineup vs. Atalanta: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Subs: Kelleher, Adrian, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott, Clark, Nunez, Jota, Danns

Atalanta lineup vs. Liverpool: Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Scamacca, Miranchuk

Subs: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Toloi, Holm, Pasalic, Toure, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Bakker, Adopo, Hateboer, Bonfanti

Adblock test (Why?)

Pepijn Lijnders is under consideration for the vacant managerial role at Besiktas, with the Turkish club on the search after sacking Fernando Santos last week.

Jurgen Klopp‘s right-hand man quickly ruled himself out of the running to replace the German this summer, instead opting to search for a fresh opportunity elsewhere.

The 41-year-old has been linked to Ajax for a number of weeks and is considered a “contender” to right the ship as they navigate a transitional period.

But they are not the only ones with an eye on Lijnders, with the Athletic‘s James Pearce reporting Besiktas have shown interest in the Dutchman’s services.

The Turkish club is to finish close to 40 points behind league leaders Galatasaray this season and is, of course, home to ex-Red Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for the Turkish side in the summer as a free agent and has since featured 23 times.

Pearce’s report comes after Turkish outlet Sabah claimed that Besiktas have identified Lijnders as a realistic target to fill the position, which is temporarily being occupied by Serdar Topraktepe.

Besiktas sacked Santos after a run of five league games without a win, he was their fourth manager this season having previously dismissed Senol Gunes, Burak Yilmaz, and Riza Calimbay.

Not the most stable of clubs for Lijnders on his return to solo senior management, but he has previously said he wants to go to a club which prove they “really want” him.

“I’m excited to manage, I’m excited to go, to find the right club who really wants [me],” he said after Klopp’s announcement.

Adblock test (Why?)

The Premier League has removed the mid-season break from the calendar in favour of what the league says is to allow an extended summer rest.

After Jurgen Klopp fought valiantly for player welfare, the English topflight has wasted little time in scrapping the winter break for the first campaign without the German.

A mid-season break was first introduced in the 2019/20 season but has been flippant in its execution in the years since.

Let’s not forget Klopp and his first team missed an FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury as it was rescheduled during their winter break, which the manager was hell-bent on his team making the most of.

But now it has been removed from the calendar altogether, with a later start date for the new Premier League season (August 17) cited as the reason it is no longer needed.

A statement published by The FA read: “The mid-season break is removed from the calendar to allow a mid-August start date for the Premier League.

“This longer summer break allows all Premier League clubs to be better able to ensure that players get a consecutive three-week break in the summer.

“This takes into account expert advice from medical and technical departments, which values a longer period of complete rest in the summer rather than a short break in the winter.

“The agreement has been approved by the FA Board and the Premier League Board and shareholders.”

The winter break in the Premier League has taken place in January but it was not protected against rearranged fixtures and cup competitions.

It was intended to help relieve fatigue, with many players and managers attesting to the impact of a relentless schedule – which is only growing despite news of FA Cup replays being scrapped.

Simply put, it’s never been taken seriously in this country.

[embedded content]

The new Premier League season starts on August 17, and when you factor in players who will take part in international tournaments in the summer and then pre-season obligations, a ‘three-week’ break should not be the bare minimum.

For Liverpool, their first pre-season match under a new manager is scheduled for July 26 in the United States, but training will commence before that date.

With international commitments and pre-season training on top of an exhausting season just gone and another one to come shortly after, you wonder what players make of the news considering they were not listed as being consulted in the decision.

Adblock test (Why?)

In a controversial move, The FA have announced that FA Cup replays have been scrapped from next season onwards, with the decision made in line with the Premier League.

Replays have formed a significant part of the competition’s history, but they have been abolished as part of a new agreement between the FA and the Premier League.

The FA had already scrapped replays from the fifth round onward, but they have now been scrapped as soon as the first round proper “in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.”

The agreement stands for a minimum of six years, and further changes to the competition will see every round played on weekends.

Additionally, the final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on a Saturday, and no league games will be played on the same day or the night before the final.

• No replays from first round proper onwards
• All rounds played on weekends
• Final to take place on penultimate Premier League weekend
• No league games on same day as final

FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham said of the news: “This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.

“The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.

“We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game. All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support.”

With concerns over funding for the football pyramid in light of this decision, the Premier League will provide an addition £33 million for grassroots football on top of their existing £100 million commitment.

The Reds have contested 96 FA Cup replays throughout their history, and have failed to progress just 25 times dating back to 1895.

Incredibly, you previously could have several replays in succession if they each ended in a draw, and in 1980 Liverpool required three semi-final replays against Arsenal.

Ultimately, the Gunners prevailed with a 1-0 win in the third match to progress to the final on that occasion.

Moreover, four of Liverpool’s eight FA Cup final triumphs (1965, 1974, 1986, 1992) required a replay in at least one of the rounds prior to the final.

Liverpool’s last ever FA Cup replay was last season vs. Wolves, a game the Reds won 1-0.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool have Rafa Benitez and a collection of pebbles to thank for Javier Mascherano signing for the club in 2007, in what proved a “great decision” for the midfielder.

The Argentine signed for the Reds in 2007, initially on loan, after only six months with West Ham, a move that helped transform Liverpool’s midfield.

Mascherano only played at Anfield for three seasons, but the tenacious midfielder made a significant impact as a world-class talent who formed part of the ‘best midfield in the world’.

In the end, he featured 139 times for the club, a tally made possible thanks to Benitez and his convincing argument that was accompanied by props!

In an interview with Movistar Deportes Peru, Mascherano explained: “When I realised that I wasn’t playing [for West Ham], my idea was to leave in the winter market.

“I don’t know how Rafa Benitez found out that I was going to leave but he contacted me.

“One day he came to my apartment in London to convince me to sign for Liverpool, because I was already thinking about leaving England, he stopped me.

“In the talk we had, I remember that we were sitting on a sofa and there was a table with pebbles, he began to explain to me with the pebbles where I had to play.

“He was clear and he told me what I could give to the team, what none of those already in the squad could.

“I thought about it for a week and finally the transfer was finalised. Luckily I made a great decision because four months later we were playing in a Champions League final with Milan in Athens.”

Mascherano came close to lifting the European Cup with Liverpool in 2007, but, sadly, his Liverpool career would end without an honour.

Now 39, Mascherano is nearly four years into his retirement and is the current manager of Argentina’s U23s side, who are preparing for the Olympics this summer.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool had one fixture subject to change dependent on whether Arsenal progressed to the next round of the Champions League, but their quarter-final exit has locked in the Reds’ run-in.

The Reds have only six games remaining in their Premier League season and sit two points behind leaders Man City and below the Gunners on goal difference.

There is still time for twists and turns, but at least Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool supporters can now cement their fixture plans following Arsenal‘s 3-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.

Up until the Gunners’ exit from the competition, there was a possibility that Liverpool’s trip to West Ham on April 27 would need to be rearranged from Saturday to Sunday.

Had Arsenal progressed and asked to play their semi-final first leg on Tuesday, April 30, the Reds would have seen their trip to the London Stadium kick off at 2pm on Sunday, April 28.

But thanks to Joshua Kimmich’s goal at the Allianz Arena, which inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Mikel Arteta’s side, it is another 12.30pm start for Liverpool against West Ham.

It means Liverpool can plan accordingly and supporters do not have to change travel plans with close to only a week’s notice – however, it does leave a small turnaround between away games.

Klopp will take his side to Goodison Park on Wednesday, April 24, for an evening kickoff, and just under 65 hours after the final whistle they will be kicking off against the Hammers.

Klopp may have preferred the West Ham fixture being rescheduled, but at least the final six league games are now set in stone – and that includes four away matches and only two at Anfield.

There is still a title to fight, for but Liverpool will need to rediscover their form if they are to take it to the final day after taking only four points from the last three league fixtures.

• Fulham (A) – Sat, April 21, 4.30pm
• Everton (A) – Wed, April 24, 8pm
• West Ham (A) – Sat, April 27, 12.30pm
• Tottenham (H) – Sat, May 5, 4.30pm
• Aston Villa (A) – Mon, May 13, 8pm
• Wolves (H) – Sun, May 19, 4pm

Adblock test (Why?)

Alisson has admitted his two-month absence from the Liverpool team was “really hard” for him, but he’s ready to be “part of the fight” to improve and finish the season strongly.

A serious hamstring injury in mid-February forced the Brazilian to miss 13 games, his longest stretch out of the team since 2019.

Alisson has admitted he is not a great spectator and that his time in the treatment room was not the easiest for him.

The 31-year-old old told the press of his spell out of the side: “It was really hard for me.

“I am a guy that when I am at home, injured or resting, I don’t like to watch football because I get too excited and I want to play, I want to be part of every game.

[embedded content]

“But I knew that it wasn’t possible for me so I tried to make the best of my treatment and recovery, I spent a lot of time on a bed getting treatment and in the gym to get strong for when I came back, to be in a good shape – maybe better than I was before.

“It was eight weeks working double sessions every day, maybe three sessions, so it was really hard for me.

“And seeing the team fighting for titles, I have a lot of desire to be part of that fight. Thank God I am here and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The Brazilian returned to the starting lineup in the defeat to Crystal Palace and at a time when Liverpool are faltering, but he kept it simple when asked about getting back to winning ways.

“[We have had] two bad results, [but] I think we cannot make the mistake of making these bigger than it is,” Alisson said.

“Of course losing 3-0 at home is something that we cannot accept as Liverpool players. We have to improve our performances, of course.

“But if I would be more precise on the things we have to do better, it is we have to go back to keeping clean sheets and try to score the chances that we have, the clear chances that we have in front of the goal.

“I am saying that because I trust my strikers a lot, I trust my defenders a lot and I know the quality that we have as a team.

“So if we do that as a team, defend as a team, attack as a team, improving these kind of things then I think we can go back to winning games.”

Adblock test (Why?)