Liverpool suffer shock defeat to Atalanta

Atalanta scored twice in four minutes to deliver a surprise victory over Liverpool and blow qualification from Champions League Group D wide open.

A much-changed Reds side lacked fluidity and failed to have a shot on target at Anfield on Wednesday.

Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens struck for the Serie A side midway through the second half.

Mohamed Salah, returning to the side, had fired over with the Reds’ best chance in the first half.

The Italian outfit looked more likely to break the deadlock and did so when Ilicic poked beyond Alisson from Alejandro Gomez’s teasing cross.

The visitors double their lead four minutes later when an unmarked Gosens volleyed in from Hans Hateboer’s nod down.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp immediately made four substitutions in a bid to get something from the game, but the changes could not prevent the Reds suffering their first home defeat inside 90 minutes since September 2018.

Klopp’s side still remain top of the group and need one win from their final two games – at home to Ajax and Midtjylland – to qualify.

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Barcelona confirmed their qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League as they thrashed Dynamo Kyiv in Group G.

Despite resting Lionel Messi for the tip to Ukraine, it proved a comfortable evening for Ronald Koeman’s side, who have won all four of their group games.

Sergino Dest’s driven effort provided the opener and Martin Braithwaite scored twice.

France striker Antoine Griezmann rounded off the scoring late on.

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Inter Milan’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League were dealt a huge blow as Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 victory at the San Siro.

Arturo Vidal was shown two yellow cards by referee Anthony Taylor after Inter’s penalty claims were waved away.

Eden Hazard converted an early spot kick for Real, with substitute Rodrygo scoring with his first touch.

Antonio Conte’s side are rooted to the bottom of Group B with just two points from four games.

The win for Zinedine Zidane’s men moves the thirteen-time European champions up into second place in the group, one point behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

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Manager Pep Guardiola insisted the goals will come after Manchester City dominated Olympiakos to secure progress to the Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare.

Guardiola’s side required one point from their match in Piraeus to reach the last-16 and victory on Wednesday ensures they remain firm favourites to finish top of Group C.

City were comfortable throughout against the Greek champions but 20-year-old England international Phil Foden scored the only goal after 36 minutes when he slotted in from Raheem Sterling’s delightful back-pass.

Olympiakos failed to register a shot, or indeed even a touch in City’s box, until the 88th-minute, but Ilkay Gundogan blazed wide and Bernardo Silva was denied at close range as City failed to add to their tally, despite 22 attempts at goal. (BBC Sport)