Peter Crouch accused Liverpool of running out of concepts soon after they failed to pull off a comeback and crashed out of the Europa League at the fingers of Atalanta on Thursday night.
The Reds entered the 2nd leg of their quarter-final tie needing a miraculous consequence just after getting rid of 3- at residence to their Italian opponents last week. They designed the ideal start when Mohamed Salah set them in advance on the night time from the penalty spot inside 7 minutes.
But Jurgen Klopp’s adult males struggled to build many clear-cut odds soon after that and succumbed to a 3-1 aggregate defeat.
Reflecting on a annoying night time for his previous club, Crouch admitted Liverpool lacked belief as they finally arrived up effectively brief of turning the tie all over.
‘I never imagine they moved the ball speedy enough. I don’t consider they had solutions seriously to Atalanta defensively,’ Crouch told TNT Sports activities.
Liverpool were dumped out of the Europa League by Atalanta on Thursday evening
It was Jurgen Klopp’s ultimate European match ahead of he leaves the club this summer season
Peter Crouch thinks his former club lacked the belief to change the tie close to just after shedding the 1st leg 3- very last 7 days
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‘I considered they were being strong defensively and they did not have ample perception or sufficient about them resourceful-smart to create probabilities. It was disappointing.’
Crouch was certain Atalanta defender Isak Hien must have been despatched off for a deliberate handball in the initially fifty percent when Luis Diaz appeared to be by means of on intention.
Atalanta staying lessened to 10 guys could have presented Liverpool the encouragement they essential to total their comeback, but Crouch conceded complaining about just one selection would be ‘clutching at straws’ as he acknowledged Atalanta entirely deserved to go via.
‘I really don’t feel Liverpool had been at their ideal tonight,’ he said. ‘We’re sitting in this article, clutching at straws and asking for a crimson card – they’re a improved aspect than that. We should not be sitting down listed here attempting to get folks sent off.’
Heaping much more praise on Atalanta, Crouch added: ‘The management of the sport in the 2nd 50 % was great from Atalanta. They were being pressing large up, but the very last 20-25 minutes they ended up camped in their own box.
‘But Liverpool still didn’t have any prospects. They defended well, they were being robust in the deal with and excellent defensively.
‘Liverpool just could not find a way to break them down, specially with Salah and Diaz off the pitch. That designed it extra tricky.’