Atalanta vs Liverpool Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Atalanta:
Sportiello; Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Hateboer, Freuler, Pasalic, Gosens; Ilicic, Gomez; Zapata
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, R Williams, Gomez, Robertson; Shaqiri, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Mane, Jota
The last season's quarter-finalists Atalanta will host Liverpool at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. This is the first match between these two sides that currently occupy the top two spots of Group D in the Champions League. Liverpool have maximal six points after beating Ajax and Midtjylland, while Atalanta four. The Italians started the campaign with a comfortable 4:0 win in Denmark. The match was virtually decided in the first half after Atalanta scored three goals. Duvan Zapata opened the result after 25 minutes, while Alejandro Gomez doubled the lead 10 minutes later. Luis Muriel made it 3:0 in 41st, while Aleksey Miranchuk scored the fourth goal in the 87th minute. In the second round Atalanta played a 2:2 draw with Ajax Amsterdam. Dusan Tadic and Lassina Traore secured a two-goal advantage for the Dutch side after the first half, but Atalanta players refused to give up. Duvan Zapata scored twice in just six minutes in the second half and equalized the result. Atalanta faced Crotone in domestic Serie A during the weekend. It was very important game, coming after two consecutive league defeats. La Dea got three points with a narrow 2:1 win. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini made five changes to the starting lineup from the side that played against Ajax and one made in attack was key to the victory - Luis Muriel netted a brace inside 12 first-half minutes. Mr Gasperini now has "sweet problem" in the attack - Zapata or Muriel? The Colombian had a hand in six goals in five Champions League starts, including the brace against Ajax last week, while Muriel proved the good form with two goals at the weekend. Something similar is with the goalkeeping position, as Pierluigi Gollini, now fully recovered from a knee injury, is challenging Marco Sportiello. But there are injury issues too. Midfielder Hans Hateboer and defender Cristian Romero both went off with muscle injuries deep into the second half, while Rafael Toloi also sustained a heavy knock to his knee. The trio is rated as doubtful, as well as Robin Gosens and Marten de Roon. However, Mattia Caldara, Marco Carnesecchi and Cristiano Piccini are all sidelined.
Liverpool are first in the group with maximal points. The Reds started the campaign with an away victory against Ajax in Amsterdam thanks to an own-goal scored by Nicolas Tagliafico. Klopp was missing goalkeeper Alisson Becker and key defender Virgil van Dijk, but managed to keep clean sheet. Adrian started between the posts, while Fabinho played as centre-back. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that Ajax were unlucky to score. In the second round Liverpool beat Midtjylland with 2:0 thanks to the second-half goals scored by Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah. Liverpool, who lost Fabinho due to injury, were lucky again as the opponents missed few clear opportunities. The Danes almost took a shock early lead only for Alisson to save the goal, while moments before Salah doubled the lead in stoppage time, Dreyer missed another big chance. Liverpool are also on the top of the Premier League table, but showed huge weaknesses in the last period. The reigning champions have conceded 15 goals in the first 7 league matches, most of all teams in the English top flight division. Last weekend Liverpool had a tough match against in-form West Ham. The guests scored an early goal after Fornals took advantage from a poor headed clearance by Joe Gomez. The Hammers then produced more chances, however Salah equalized in the finish of the first half. Klopp made two changes in the second half and introduced Diogo Jota and Xherdan Shaqiri. The Portuguese striker netted in the 85th minute after a smart pass by Shaqiri. But one other player should also be mentioned - Nathaniel Phillips. He played as Gomez's partner in the defense and the former Liverpool player, now Sky Sport pundit - Jamie Carragher - named him man of the match. But Phillips is ineligible to play in the Champions League and that could be a problem as Van Dijk, Matip and Fabinho are injured. Most probably Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez will start as centre-backs. Thiago Alcantara could start from the bench, while Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas will be assessed before the match. Diogo Jota is pushing for a starting place after scoring against West Ham and Midtjylland, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain long-term absentee.
Atalanta vs Liverpool Prediction:
I think Liverpool are closer to the victory here. This will be the sixth competitive match for Atalanta in the last 15 days. It is true both teams have lot of injured players, however Liverpool have bigger roster. For example, Klopp started without Salah, Firmino and Mane against Midtjylland. Atalanta will not defend and the Reds will have lot of free space for fast attacks. This is exactly what they need.
Atalanta vs Liverpool Pick: Liverpool @ 2.18 with Unibet