Liverpool on brink of Europa League exit as Atalanta run riot at Anfield

Liverpool have a mountain to climb in their Europa League quarter-final with Atalanta claiming a shock 3-0 win at Anfield.

Former West Ham forward Gianluca Scamacca scored twice, the first coming from an error by Reds goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as the Italian's not particularly powerful effort squirmed under his body.

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"This is terrible, terrible goalkeeping from Kelleher," Dean Ashton said on commentary for talkSPORT.

"He's been good since he came in for Alisson but this is a horrible, horrible mistake."

That proved to be the only goal of the first half, however, they had Kelleher that they don't find themselves even further behind with the 25-year-old making two big saves to deny the Italian side.

In the opening moments of the match Kelleher denied Mario Pasalic from point-blank range, saving the shot with his face.

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Kelleher denied Pasalic again just before half time, saving the powerful shot with his chest.

Liverpool were shaky at the back and were guilty of lacking composure in front of goal in the first half with Darwin Nunez shooting wide when played clean through on goal.

Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott hit the crossbar and post with a curling effort that had Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso beaten all ends up.

But no such problems for Scamacca, who added his second of the night just after the hour mark with a crisp left-footed half-volley after the Liverpool defence was caught flat-footed.

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Pasalic then scored the third late on to leave Liverpool with a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg in Bergamo next Thursday.

The 25-year-old is having a better time of it since returning to Italy after his season with West Ham.

Scamacca has 13 goals in 33 appearances this season, including five in seven in Europa League matches.

He helped the Hammers to Conference League glory but only managed eight goals in all competitions last term.

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The winner of this tie will face the winner of the quarter-final between Marseille and Benfica.