Liverpool vs Atalanta LIVE: Europa League team news as Jurgen Klopp makes six changes

As kick-off approaches, a reminder of The Independent’s preview piece reviewing Jurgen Klopp’s impact on heightening Liverpool’s European pedigree.

Jurgen Klopp has a tendency to mythologise, to both create and burnish a legend. His skill set has rarely seemed to include search-engine algorithms but in 2018 he declared: “If you had Google and put in ‘European nights’ the answer must be: Anfield. That’s really cool.” He is almost right. Google “great European nights” and Anfield features prominently. That is part of Klopp’s legacy.

There may only be two European nights left at Anfield for him; perhaps Atalanta on Thursday will prove the last, with no semi-final against Benfica or Marseille to follow. There may be no more that cross the barrier into greatness. And yet Klopp will leave Liverpool as the manager who restored the unforgettable European evenings to their fixture list. As with much else he has done at Anfield, he took a historic institution, updated it, added his personal touch, and made Liverpool seem the place to be again.

This match will be only the third times that these two teams have met.

The previous meetings both came in the group stages of the Champions League in the 2020/21 season, when crowds were still kept away from stadiums.

Jurgen Klopp’s men won 5-0 in the away fixture, but fell to a 2-0 defeat in the home game.

With just over half an hour until kick-off, a reminder of how you can watch tonight’s game.

Liverpool vs Atalanta kicks off at 8pm BST (9pm CEST) on 11 April 2024 at Anfield, Liverpool.

The match will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, which subscribers can stream via the Discovery + app and website. Coverage will begin at 7pm BST.

Here’s everything you need to know about the match and get the latest odds and tips, here.

The away side have made five changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Cagliari last time out.

Juan Musso replaces Carnesecchi in goal, while Toloi and Kolasinac are replaced by Hien and Ruggeri.

Mario Pasalic comes in for Hateboer, while ex-Everton striker Ademola Lookman is replaced by AC Milan loanee Charles De Ketelaere.

ATALANTA XI: Musso; Zappacosta, Hien, Djimsiti, Ruggeri; Ederson, De Roon, Pasalic ; Koopmeiners; Scamacca, De Ketelaere.

SUBS: Toloi, Holm, Lookman, Toure, Bakker, Adopo, Rossi, Carnesecchi, Hateboer, Bonfanti, Miranchuk.

So, the host make six changes to the side that started the 2-2 draw at Manchester United last Sunday.

In defence, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate come in for Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah and Andy Robertson.

Curtis Jones replaces Szoboszlai in midfield, while Salah is rested in place of Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo comes in for Luis Diaz.

Diogo Jota and Alexander-Arnold, neither of whom have played since February, are both on the bench.

LIVERPOOL XI: Kelleher; Tsimikas, Konate, van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Mac Allister, Jones; Elliot, Nunez, Gakpo.

SUBS: Adrian, Diaz, Salah, Szoboszlai, Jota, Robertson, Gravenberch, Clark, Bajcetic, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Bradley.

Team news should be arriving any moment now…

Despite their recent struggles, the away side will be excited to test themselves at one of football’s most famous venues. Liverpool’s home advantage and superior firepower means they should be able to win comfortably though, even if Jurgen Klopp opts for several changes to his starting eleven. Liverpool 3-1 Atalanta.