Atalanta scored twice in four minutes to deliver a surprise victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The visitors defeated Liverpool 0 – 2, thereby throwing qualifications from Champions’ League Group D wide open.
Klopp made five changes to the side that beat Leicester City on Sunday, including Salah, who returned after his positive COVID-19 test while on international duty with Egypt.
Second-half goals in quick succession from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens helped the Italians secure three precious points as they avenged the thumping 5-0 defeat that Liverpool inflicted on them three weeks ago.
Jürgen Klopp’s side’s tally of nine points still leaves them top of the pool, but both AFC Ajax – who visit Merseyside next Tuesday – and Atalanta now sit just two points behind with two match days remaining.
Liverpool’s loss on Wednesday night marked the first time Jurgen Klopp has coached the Reds to such a heavy defeat at Anfield. Klopp had only lost by one goal in all his previous 137 competitive matches in charge at Liverpool’s home ground.
Klopp in a post-match conference said: “We made five changes, it was very important we did that, and in the end it didn’t work out and that is part of the deal. I would do it again.
“(We had) no real rhythm, the first half was not a good game at all, they were not good as well. We spoke about it but the second half it didn’t look like it (would change) and that is why we changed early.
“A second before we could change, they scored the first goal, in a space which we knew they tried to use and we couldn’t defend in that moment.
“We had better football moments but not good enough. If you don’t have a shot on target that is never a good sign.”
Liverpool travel to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League, then return to Champions League action when they host Ajax on Tuesday.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini hailed the win as the club’s most prestigious.
“Obviously this is something which will be written in the pages of history,” he said.
“They haven’t lost a Premier League game in 64 matches. This is perhaps our biggest ever victory in our history, certainly our most prestigious.
“We were more solid in defence this time around because the defence was better protected with more players in midfield. This is the solution we opted for as we thought it was appropriate for this game.”
