Liverpool has once again set a high bar for itself in Europe, and this time, Anfield won’t be able to help them reach it. The Reds must defeat Atalanta by three goals in the first ninety minutes away in Bergamo in order to force extra time.

Throughout the season, Liverpool has struggled mightily to let up the opening goal. Although this has frequently served as the impetus for a comeback, Liverpool has not been able to rebound against Atalanta or Crystal Palace.

It seems like anything less than an early goal to go ahead would make the game even more difficult to come back from behind. Gianluca Scamacca scored twice on Merseyside, while Mario Pašalić added a third. Liverpool will need to improve their ability to adapt to Gian Piero Gasperini’s man-marking strategy going forward.

The Reds players were perplexed by that at first, but now that they’ve faced it for 90 minutes, they have at least some experience playing against it as it looks to make an unexpected run to the final four.

These are the groups that some of the authors here at Liverpool.com would pick. With an almost completely fit roster at his disposal, Jürgen Klopp will have to make some important choices on what may be his last trip to Europe with the Reds.

Matt Addison: Cody Gakpo needs to enter.

Liverpool have to try their hardest here and cross their fingers in order to go to the semi-finals. It is still very possible that the Reds might win by enough goals to force extra time, if they are clinical and manage to stay ahead for once.

I see only one choice for the back four, with Alisson Becker starting in goal. The only doubt is whether Ibrahima Konaté can start the third straight game in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Maybe I would anticipate Jarell Quansah entering.

All of my first-choice picks are active in midfield. I’ve been saying for a while now that Liverpool’s top three options are Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. Although I wouldn’t start Harvey Elliott for as long as Klopp did against Crystal Palace, that is the best balance and starts all three of the finest players in that position.

I’m covered by Cody Gakpo in the attack. Mohamed Salah is a given, and Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz will battle it out if Diogo Jota isn’t quite ready to play just yet. Díaz will start, and I’ll have Núñez come off the bench at the hour. Although it’s a good team, we shouldn’t be worrying too much about rotation at this stage of the season.

Alisson, Mac Allister, Jones, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Díaz, and Alexander-Arnold make up my starting lineup.

Score prediction: 2-2 draw.

One thing to keep an eye on is whether Liverpool can score first rather than falling behind.

Liam Prenderville-Jota receives approval

The Reds need to attack, but they can’t afford to start too quickly because an Atalanta goal would all but end the tie. After playing off the bench against Crystal Palace, Trent Alexander-Arnold must start, and in central defense, I prefer Joe Gomez to Jarell Quansah.

In the Liverpool midfield, Harvey Elliott, who has been vying for a start in recent weeks, narrowly beats Curtis Jones. This season, Alexis Mac Allister has shown that he is more than capable of filling the No. 6 position and provides more offensive production than Wataru Endō.

With all of Klopp’s attacking weapons at his disposal, the starting lineup is essentially three out of five. Although Luis Díaz has been a regular threat on the left in recent weeks, Mohamed Salah must start. My choice for the lead part is Diogo Jota. Even though he might not be able to play the full 90 minutes, he is still Liverpool’s finest finisher, thus chances should be present. As a result, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo are ready to contribute off the bench.

Alisson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Jota, Díaz, Salah, and Mac Allister make up my starting lineup.

Score prediction: 3-1 in favor of Liverpool.

One thing to keep an eye on: Can the Reds force extra time while maintaining a clean sheet?