Liverpool vs Atalanta preview: team news, lineups, TV, kick-off time, referee & VAR

Liverpool return to Europa League action this Thursday as they welcome Atalanta to Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. 

The Reds were left frustrated in their most recent outing, only managing a 2-2 draw against a disjointed Manchester United side as they stumbled in the Premier League title race.

However, European football will take priority midweek as the Reds seek to win the Europa League for the first time under Jurgen Klopp during his final season in charge.

Serie A side Atalanta, who are currently sat sixth in the Italian top flight, will travel to Merseyside in the quarter-final first leg, with the return fixture taking place in Bergamo next Thursday.

Liverpool have seldom been tested in the competition to date, topping their group with little fuss and putting 11 goals past Sparta Prague over two legs in the last 16.

Here is Anfield Watch's preview of Liverpool vs Atalanta this week.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE & VAR

• Date: Thursday 11 April

• Kick-off time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

• Stadium: Anfield

• Referee: TBC

• VAR: TBC

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool and Atalanta have met on only two occasions, both coming in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage.

Klopp's side ran rampant in the away clash and secured a memorable 5-0 victory, with Diogo Jota netting an impressive hat-trick during the demolition.

However, the reverse fixture at Anfield left a lot to be desired with Liverpool falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat thanks to quickfire goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens.

The only other Italian teams that Liverpool have faced in the modern Europa League are Udinese and Napoli, with two wins, a draw and a  defeat in four meetings.

WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS ATALANTA ON TV & LIVE STREAM

As is the case for all Liverpool's Europa League encounters, viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland are able to tune in to the action on TNT Sports or discovery+.

The game will be available on Paramout+ or ViX in the United States, while those in Canada can watch on DAZN. The provider in Australia is Stan Sport.

Star+ will be showing the match in South America, while Viaplay will be among the dozens of broadcasters in Europe.

Those in much of Asia will be able to watch on beIN Sports, while SuperSport is the major provider for large parts of Africa.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool's injury woes are starting to ease at a crucial period but the Reds are still likely to be without a number of key performers for Atalanta's visit.

Diogo Jota was sorely missed against Man Utd at the weekend and should be back in training this week, as will Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson providing they suffer no further setbacks.

Stefan Bajcetic may also join the team for training this week but none of the four will be fit for the first leg of the last eight.

Joel Matip and Thiago are likely out for the rest of the campaign.

ATALANTA TEAM NEWS

Gian  Piero Gasperini has a fairly clean bill of health heading to Anfield on Thursday, with young defender Giorgio the only absentee from the starting lineup due to a hamstring injury.

Liverpool should get to take a closer look at several rumoured transfer targets when Atalanta visit, including Teun Koopmeiners and Ederson.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP VS ATALANTA

Klopp should be pretty respectful of Atalanta and field a strong lineup, with one or two alterations from Sunday's draw against Man Utd.

Joe Gomez may come in for Conor Bradley who had a difficult afternoon at Old Trafford defensively, while Ibrahima Konate could replace Jarell Quansah after his error.

Dominik Szoboszlai missed some big chances for the Reds at the weekend and his form has been declining recently, with the impressive Harvey Elliott potentially taking his place.

Despite their wastefulness on Sunday, the front three should remain the same, especially with Cody Gakpo in questionable form.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz. 

LIVERPOOL VS ATALANTA SCORE PREDICTION

The Reds haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven matches and that may not change on Thursday, with Atalanta an exciting proposition in the final third.

However, Liverpool will be desperate to take a lead to Italy next week and are well placed to do so having won all of their Europa League home games at a canter this term.

Klopp should go strong for Atalanta's visit and that should result in a solid victory.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Atalanta