Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca struck in each half on Thursday night (Friday AEST), before Mario Pasalic added the third in the 84th minute.
Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League title challengers were completely outplayed by a side sixth in their domestic Italian league.
Klopp called the loss a “low point” in Liverpool’s season.
Liverpool looked flat throughout and ended the night perhaps fortunate Atalanta had not taken one of the many late chances they had.
Harvey Elliott hit the post in the first half and Mo Salah had a goal ruled out for offside in the second, but Liverpool lacked the spark needed to beat a well-organised Atalanta side who will be confident of finishing the job next Thursday in Bergamo.
But first Klopp must lift his players for Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace in the tight battle at the top of the Premier League table.
“It was a really bad game, oh my God,” Klopp said after Liverpool’s first home defeat in nearly 14 months.
“We started well, really well, and then didn’t continue. They broke, they scored and we just lost the plot a little bit.
“We played a bad game and we deserved to lose. We must feel that now, but we have exactly this night to feel bad about it and then we have to build up for Palace.”
AAP
