Liverpool icon John Aldridge shares Europa League verdict after quarter-final draw on Friday
By Sean Wilson
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has called his old side’s route to the Europa League final “tough but doable” after the Reds discovered their quarter-final opponents.
Jurgen Klopp’s men will face Serie A side Atalanta in the last eight and, should they overcome their Italian opponents, either Benfica or Marseille will await them in the semi-finals.
The Reds advanced to the last-eight stage by hammering Sparta Prague 11-2 on aggregate and will hope to cruise into the next round in a similar style.
However, Aldridge’s post on X– suggests the 65-year-old expects significantly more resistance from the club’s upcoming opponents.
He wrote: “Tough passage to [the final in] Dublin! But it’s doable folks.”
Liverpool anticipate a tougher test against Atalanta
Liverpool may have swept Sparta Prague aside, but they will be keenly aware that progression is unlikely to remain so simple.
While the Reds were thoroughly dismantling the team at the top of the Czech First League, Atalanta edged past Sporting CP – who sit top of the pile in Portugal.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are still unbeaten in the Europa League this term, too, having won four and drawn two in the group stages before a 3-2 aggregate win over their Portuguese counterparts comprised of a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 victory.
That is more than can be said of Liverpool, who were beaten twice in the groups – a 3-2 loss to Toulouse and a 2-1 defeat against Union Saint-Gilloise – though they did still finish in top spot.
Both those losses came away from home and any such sloppiness in Bergamo will surely be punished – but if the Reds produce a performance as professional as their 5-1 win in Prague, they can be confident of taking another step towards European glory.
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