Liverpool comeback falls short despite early Salah penalty

Jürgen Klopp has taken Liverpool to four European finals, one Champions League trophy and places that players and fans alike may never have imagined possible but a journey that pulsated and punished is over. There will be no fairytale ending in Dublin after one more feat of escapology proved beyond Klopp's team against Atalanta.

- Andy Hunter

Atalanta 0

Liverpool 1

Salah 7pen

Atalanta win 3-1 on agg

The 91st European game of Klopp's nine-year Liverpool reign was also his last despite a vastly-improved display and win against Gian Piero Gasperini's side. "If we fail, then let's fail in the most beautiful way," Klopp had said on the eve of the Europa League quarter-final second leg. Liverpool delivered to a degree. Mohamed Salah struck an early penalty that decided the contest but could not transform the tie, although it looked possible during a first half in which Atalanta creaked and the Egypt inter-national missed an excellent chance to double Liverpool's advantage. Atalanta regained their composure in the second half to secure only the second European semi-final place in their history.

The improbable seemed probable again when Liverpool were handed an early penalty by the Atalanta defender Matteo Ruggeri. Trent Alexander-Arnold also played an instrumental role in a lead that sent a wave of optimism through the visiting ranks and preyed on the worst fears of the hosts.