Atalanta vs Liverpool: Champions League: Preview and Prediction

The Reds travel to Italy as they lock horns with last year's quarter-finalists Atalanta in a Champions League Group D fixture at the Grewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Liverpool currently sit at the summit of the Premier League despite its injury crisis. Some or the other player has always stepped up for Klopp and the man for the last two league games has been the ex-Wolves forward, Diogo Jota.

Atalanta have made a reputation of being a free-scoring team under Gian Piero Gasperini. His team has kept up with their newly-set standards as the Serie A side have already scored 17 goals in just six games.

Liverpool not being the best defensively will be concerned as the Serie A top scorers could cause some serious problems for their depleted backline.

The six-time champions have no fresh injury concerns. On the contrary,  they will be expecting quite a few players to at least return to the bench.

Klopp revealed that Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are ready, with the latter still having some issues. Naby Keita is also likely to be in contention after completing his isolation, having contracted the coronavirus.

With Nat Phillips not a part of the UCL squad, Rhys Williams will be pairing alongside Joe Gomez.

For Atalanta, Duvan Zapata is expected to be the front-man. His brace against Ajax helped the Italian outfit to get a point out of the game last week.

Mattia Caldara, Marco Carnesecchi, Cristiano Piccini, and Marten de Roon are all still sidelined for the hosts. Gasperini will also have to make a choice between the two keepers available.

Atalanta probable starting lineup:

Gosens is doubtful and may be replaced by Johan Mojica

Marco Sportiello, Rafael Toloi, Cristian Romero, Berat Djimsiti, Hans Hateboer, Remo Freuler, Mario Pasalic, Robin Gosens  Josip Ilicic, Alejandro Gomez, Duvan Zapata

Liverpool probable starting lineup:

James Milner and Joel Matip could start in place of Georginio Wijnaldum and Joe Gomez too.

Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rhys Williams, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson; Xherdan Shaqiri, Jordan Henderson, Geroginio Wijnaldum , Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota

Recent Form: 

Key Battles

Alejandro Gomez vs Jordan Henderson

The Argentine playmaker will be against the Reds' skipper and things may get intense, considering how things have gone down for the Liverpool defenders.

Hans Hateboer vs Andrew Robertson

The Dutch will be against the Scottish full-back and it will be interesting to see how two forward-minded players look at the head-to-head, considering their contradicting primary roles.

Prediction

The game will surely be an entertaining one as both teams play very entertaining football. Things may get ugly for Klopp as he is yet to win a game in Italy, having lost all his five Champions League fixtures, three with the Reds too.

Considering Liverpool's concerns at the back and Atalanta's attacking approach without thinking much about the defense, a thriller may definitely be around the corner.