PEP GUARDIOLA once said that playing Atalanta was like going to the dentist.

And at Anfield tonight, the Italians inflicted enormous pаin on Jurgen Klopp, who may not get a big send-off in Dublin after all.

Liverpool fans have already reserved hotels in the Irish capital for the Europa League final on May 22, which will also be Klopp’s final game in charge of the club.

However, the Reds’ hopes for a party in Temple Bar are now hаnging by a thread, and they must deliver something extraordinary in Bergamo next Thursday.

Against Gian Piero Gasperini’s well-drilled team, Klopp and his team will face an extremely difficult task.

The biggest surprise last night was that Gianluca Scamacca, the West Ham flop, took on the role of dental surgeon.

He didn’t do much in east London, and despite his £22.5 million move to Atalanta in the summer, Scamacca hasn’t exactly lit up Serie A and has lost his place in the Italian national team.

But he came into this game on a good scoring streak, and he continued it by scoring twice to stu𝚗 the Kop.

His first goal should have been saved by Caoimhin Kelleher, but his second was simply outstanding.

Klopp shook his head in disbelief.

The 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday was disappointing, but Liverpool played well and should have been out of reach at Old Trafford.

But this was a truly underwhelming performance.

At halftime, Klopp made three changes, bringing on Mo Salah, Dominic Szoboszlai, and Andy Robertson, but there was no major Anfield comeback.

Atalanta, ranked sixth in Serie A, had only won two of their previous nine games.

There were no flags in the Kop as part of a protest against a 2% ticket increase at Anfield next season.

Although Atalanta previously visited here in the Champions League in November 2020, there were no fans due to Cоvid restrictions, and Liverpool lost 2-0.

However, given Liverpool’s form this season, you wouldn’t expect history to repeat itself.

Atalanta should have taken the lead in front of the Kop in less than three minutes when Mario Pasalic failed to score from close range after booting a shot into Caoimhin Kelleher’s face, leaving him with a large red mark around his left eye.

Atalanta, missing injured former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinic, squandered another opportunity when Davide Zappacosta, despite being in an excellent position to score, made the stupiԀ decision to pull the ball back for Teun Koopmeiners, whose shot was blocked.

Darwin Nunez had seven goals in his previous ten games for Liverpool, but he remаins an infuriating player who loses composure in crucial moments. Not for the first time this season, he squandered an easy opportunity with a wild finish when he could have simply walked the ball around exposed keeper Juan Musso.

Havey Elliott came close to scoring a cracking opening goal from a far more difficult position than his teammate, but his curling shot Һit both the bar and then the post, causing a huge letdown for Atalanta.

After those early scares, Liverpool had done a good job of frustrating the Italians, but they let themselves down seven minutes before halftime.

Former Chelsea defender Zappacosta had an absurd amount of space down the right, and he had time to pick out Scamacca, who fired a first-time shot from just inside the box. The effort was not particularly powerful, but it bounced off the ground and went under the diving Kelleher.

Left-back Kostas Tsimikas had been extremely poor, and he performed another disappearing act in the first half ιnjury time. Koopmeiners had a free run at goal, but he took a heavy first touch and fired a shot at the onrushing Kelleher.

Tsimikas may have had few complaints at halftime, as he was one of three substitutions, alongside Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.

Liverpool improved after the changes, and Salah forced an excellent save from Musso.

However, Klopp’s team was shockingly open at the back. Charles De Ketelaere found space on the right and picked out Scamacca, who was completely unmarked by Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate.

Scamacca scored a brilliant first-time finish past Kelleher, and West Ham fans will wish they had witnessed more moments like this.

Liverpool thought they had gotten one back, but Mo Salah was offside.

But with seven minutes remaining, Szoboszlai lost possession, Scamacca delivered a brilliant pass to Ederson, and while his shot was saved, Pasalic tapped in for 3-0.

Klopp’s loss could come at a critical time. With one trophy in the bag, they are still hoping for a treble, but it appears unlikely.