What has happened to Mo Salah?! Liverpool’s Europa League comeback falters against Atalanta as the ever-reliable Egyptian fluffs his lines in Italy

For a short while, it seemed like another legendary Liverpool comeback was on. Mohamed Salah gave the Reds a seventh-minute lead from the spot against Atalanta on Thursday night and, all of a sudden, it felt like they might actually overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit in Europe – just as they did all those years ago on a famous night at Anfield.

But when the chance came for Salah to put Liverpool 2-0 up in Bergamo, the usually deadly Egyptian dragged his attempted lob over a stranded Juan Musso well wide of an open goal. The visitors wouldn’t get a better chance to breathe new life into this Europa League quarter-final tie.

Indeed, just like Salah, who was replaced midway through the second half, Liverpool faded the longer the game wore on and Jurgen Klopp clearly still has plenty of work to do to revive his flagging squad ahead of Sunday’s must-win Premier League game at Fulham.

He will look at the positives. Liverpool kept a clean sheet. They managed to win the game. But this didn’t feel anything like a victory – and this didn’t look anything like the real Mo Salah.

Below, we rates all of the players on show on another frustrating night for Klopp and his players

Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson Becker (6/10):

A virtual spectator in the first half. Had a couple of stops to make after the restart but they were all quite routine.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

‘Won’ the penalty and was arguably Liverpool’s best player during the first half, repeatedly turning defence into attack with one swing of his right foot, but still looks like a player working his way back to full fitness. Tellingly, withdrawn with 20 minutes left.

Ibrahima Konate (5/10):

Always willing to throw his weight around and won a fair few tackles but just gives away so many fouls with his clumsiness. His distribution left a lot to be desired as well.

Virgil van Dijk (5/10):

A threat in the Atalanta box and his passing was good. But gave away some cheap free-kicks with poorly-timed challenges.

Andy Robertson (5/10):

Always willing to get forward but didn’t carry the same attacking threat as usual. Take off in the closing stages.

Midfield

Dominik Szoboszlai (5/10):

Decent early strike on goal but his passing was loose and he put his team in serious trouble at one point during the first half. Unsurprisingly subbed midway through the second half. Really has faded after such a strong first half of the season.

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Not his best performance but once again Liverpool’s best midfielder. Despite some misplaced passes, he was good on the ball and won it back repeatedly, making several timely interceptions.

Curtis Jones (5/10):

Can’t fault him for effort (you never can) but was sloppy in possession at times. Still trying to get himself back to the level he was playing at before the injury.

Attack

Mohamed Salah (4/10):

Despite a lengthy wait, converted his penalty emphatically, but made an absolute mess of an attempted lob that would have brought Liverpool right back into the tie. Rightly replaced after another largely ineffective display. Rather worryingly, still not right after his lengthy injury lay-off.

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

The one forward to play reasonably well, the Dutchman created chances for both Diaz (with a sublime lay-off) and Salah (long ball over the top).

Luis Diaz (4/10):

Full of running, always wanted to get on the ball – but did absolutely nothing with it. His early exit was inevitable.

Subs & Manager

Darwin Nunez (5/10):

Made no impact after his introduction.

Joe Gomez (5/10):

Came on at right-back for Alexander-Arnold. Little to do.

Diogo Jota (5/10):

Took over on the left wing from Diaz but couldn’t spark Liverpool into life.

Harvey Elliott (5/10):

Not even Liverpool’s super-sub could turn this game around.

Jayden Danns (N/A):

Not enough time to make an impact.

Jurgen Klopp (6/10):

Promised that his side would go for it and they did, during the first half, before completely running out of steam after the restart. His team’s lack of a cutting edge will remain a serious concern, as he looks powerless to do anything about it.