Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk react to Liverpool’s Europa League exit as Atalanta keep Reds at bay

Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk were left with mixed emotions after Liverpool beat Atalanta but were still were knocked out of the Europa League.

The Premier League side had a mountain to climb in Italy on Thursday night after suffering a remarkable 3-0 defeat in the first let at Anfield.

The Reds have made a habit of producing stirring comebacks under Klopp and Mohamed Salah’s penalty inside the first ten minutes gave them major hope.

Liverpool were in control for most of the match but could not find the goals needed to get back in the tie, exiting the Europa League at the quarter-final stage.

Klopp said: ‘It was clear we gave ourselves a massive hurdle. I liked the game a lot tonight with the desire and power the boys show. It was incredible from them.

‘It was really tricky and we were too hasty in moments. We won the game and that was the reaction we wanted to show. It was difficult and we knew it would be but they deserve to go through 100%.

‘We have to focus on the league and that is exactly what we will do from now. Tonight we won the game so we are back to winning ways.

‘We have a few days to recover to go again against Fulham. That will be a different game but it will be tricky.’

Liverpool captain Van Dijk, meanwhile, said: ‘Firstly, credit to Atalanta. Last week we were very poor and they had a good game. They deserved to go through because we made it far too difficult for ourselves.

‘Tonight was a good game and we showed great fight. It was an improvement but the reality is we are out and we have to very quickly recover and travel to London on Saturday.

‘We tried and we had opportunities. At times we wanted it too quickly as everyone was keen to get the second and third. But overall it isn’t enough. We are disappointed to be out of the competition as we really wanted to win it.’

Liverpool, who won the League Cup earlier in the season, could yet mark Klopp’s final season at Anfield with a double as they are locked in a three-horse race for the Premier League title.

The Reds are currently third with six games remaining but on the same number of points as Arsenal and just two behind defending champions Manchester City.

Looking ahead to Liverpool’s return to domestic action, with the Reds travelling to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday, Van Dijk added: ‘We won tonight and we kept a clean sheet, so there are so many more positives we can take. Yes, it is a bad feeling to be out so we have to get back up.

‘We have been through difficult moments all together, so showing maturity and togetherness is the key to this. And professionalism to be ready for Sunday as that will also be a tough game.

‘We all have a responsibility to be ready for it physically and mentally. We need everyone now for the last push in the league. Hopefully our fans will be there because we need them now more than ever because anything is still possible.’

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