Liverpool 0-2 Atalanta – Europa League quarter-finals: Live score, team news and updates as Gianluca Scamacca doubles his and the Italians’ tally on the night, while West Ham 0-0 Leverkusen and Aston Villa 2-0 Lille

John McGinn doubles Aston Villa’s lead, they’re in dreamland!

It’s a brilliantly worked set-piece and McGinn is on the edge of the box and hits it hard into the bottom corner.

McGinn goes mental, and rightly so, a fantastic goal!

The ball lands in the path of Youri Tielemans and he unleashes a ferocious strike that is goal-bound, but a Lille player diverts it wide.

They’ll have to settle for a corner!

Liverpool are starting to apply the pressure.

Darwin Nunez does really well before Mo Salah has two bites of the cherry, first seeing his shot blocked and then forcing a save.

A minute later Darwin Nunez fires narrowly over the bar.

Liverpool fans will be happier, but will also be having flashbacks to Sunday, they need to start taking these chances.

Aston Villa want that second.

The hosts have started the second half well and Leon Bailey forces a save from Lucas Chevalier.

If Bailey put that further in the corner, I’m not sure the keeper would have reached it.

That’s better from Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk, who is always a threat from set-pieces, rises highest to meet Andy Robertson’s corner, but his header spurns just over the bar.

Atalanta can’t allow Van Dijk to have that much space, he normally punishes you.

That must be the biggest one-two I’ve ever seen.

Dominik Szoboszlai sends a corner flying over everybody to Andy Robertson, who then sends a cross back over everyone to Szoboszlai.

I don’t think that was their plan though.

Well, Jurgen Klopp is going for it.

Liverpool have made a triple change, Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Andy Robertson are on for Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Kostas Tsimikas.

And now all three matches are back underway.

It’s not all doom and gloom for the English sides tonight!

Aston Villa are in the green at Villa Park, their top scorer this season, Ollie Watkins, added another to his tally with a brilliant header.

Just listen to that noise!

I’m sorry, he may have made other saves, but this is extremely poor by Caoimhin Kelleher – he has to stop it.

But, he didn’t. Gianluca Scamacca got his shot on target and saw it hit the back of the net to silence the crowd.

A huge goal for Atalanta.

If you’re a Liverpool fan, you’re probably used to this.

Liverpool have conceded first a total of 20 times this season. This statistic shocked me, but it actually does make sense, they love a comeback.

The Reds have come back to win nine of those 20 games, can they do it again tonight?

Europa League

• Benfica 0-0 Marseille
• AC Milan 0-1 Roma

Europa Conference League

• Club Brugge 1-0 PAOK Salonika

Villa lead at the interval and it’s all thanks to Ollie Watkins.

The hosts started on top and got their reward when the England international rose highest to head home from a corner.

However, Lille have had chances of their own, but Emi Martinez has kept the hosts in front.

A big half coming up.

All square at the break in Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen have had their moments and so have West Ham, but ultimately it’s the defenses who are on top.

I feel David Moyes will be the happier of the two managers at the break.

And there it is.

Well, that was not the Liverpool I was expecting to see. Jurgen Klopp’s side were slow and devoid of ideas, and have ultimately paid the price.

Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca stunned Anfield firing Atalanta in front, and they could be further ahead dif it wasn’t for Caoimhin Kelleher.

Lots of work to do in the second half for the Reds.

Caoimhin Keller keeps it at just 1-0.

What is going on at the back for the Reds? Teun Koopmeiners is in miles of spaces and bares down on goal, but Kelleher rushes out to make a fantastic stop.

Liverpool need half-time!

Liverpool are all over the place at the back.

Harvey Elliot loses the ball and Atalanta fly forward and suddenly Gianluca Scamacca has the ball at his feet in the box, but he can’t get a shot off.

Jurgen Klopp shakes his head, he’s not happy!

You can just hear the frustration in the crowd at Anfield.

This certainly was not in the script, but you have to say, it’s a deserved goal for the Italians.

Their fans are enjoying themselves in their corner of the ground.

Oooooooh… is a shock on the cards?

Atalanta have warned Liverpool, but they haven’t listened and Gianluca Scamacca has fired the visitors in front.

The former West Ham man somehow squeezes it under the body of Caoimhin Kelleher, who had to do better there.

That’s now just one clean sheet in 14 games at Anfield for Liverpool…

The Kop has started singing the new Luis Diaz song which is to the tune of ‘Bella Ciao’.

I’m guessing that means they would like the Colombian forward to come on, it looks like Liverpool may need him.

The song is extremely catchy, I was just dancing a little.

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

Is Klopp sending a message by sending some of his subs including Luis Diaz and Dominick Szoboszlai to warm up. Liverpool are 35 minutes in and haven’t made a breakthrough yet

Emi Martinez keeps Villa in front!

Pape Diakhaté is clean through, you expect the net to ripple, but Martinez rushes out and smothers him to stop the strike.

That was vital.

That is a fantastic save by Lukasz Fabianski.

The Polish keeper gets down low to divert Patrik Schick’s effort wide of the post.

I thought he was going to be wheeling away in celebration.

Liverpool are starting to rack up the chances now.

The Reds have grown into the game and now Curtis Jones has just bent one over the bar.

Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with how his side has responded after early pressure.

I must admit though, the atmosphere has fallen a bit flat…

Oh, my word, Harvey Elliott has hit the bar and the post with the same shot!

Elliott cuts inside on the right, whips in a beautiful effort and it hits the crossbar before going onto the post and somehow stays out.

That was so unlucky.

I’ve just kindly been informed by my colleague Kathryn Batte, who is at the BayArena, that Lucas Paqueta will now miss the second leg due to that yellow card.

That’s a huge blow for the Hammers!

Handbags alert!

Lucas Paqueta flies into a nasty challenge and all hell breaks loose. Players from both sides sprint over and it’s all going on.

Paqueta gets a booking in the aftermath, it was a horrible challenge.

He’s not happy though, he’s gesticulating his thoughts to the referee with some passion.

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

Jurgen Klopp warned Atalanta would be dangerous and the Italians are getting forward when they can. Already big chances for Charles De Ketelaere and Mario Pasalic. Unfortunately, Liverpool’s opportunities have fallen to Darwin Nunez whose not got his shooting boots on at the moment

Aadam Patel, Mail Sport, at Villa Park:

Villa ahead, deservedly too after some early pressure. The cameras pan to Prince William in the stands, who just like most of the ground, is off his seat and with a beaming smile on his face

Darwin Nunez has to score, but he doesn’t.

Curtis Jones sends the Uruguayan clear and he just has to slide it past the keeper, but he fires wide.

That was a big chance!

Ollie Watkins gives Villa the lead!

It was never going to be anybody else, Villa’s top scorer this season rises highest from a corner to head home.

Villa Park is rocking!

Atalanta have not come here just to sit back.

Teun Koopmeiners sees his shot blocked before Gianluca Scamacca can’t control the ball, he should have done better.

Liverpool are struggling to deal with them here.

No surprise that Bayer Leverkusen are having the lion’s share of possession, and their best chance has come through Patrik Schick who forced a save from Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham have been decent though when they have had the ball.

Liverpool have reacted well to that big chance.

First Darwin Nunez forces a save before Alexis Mac Allister fires just wide.

The crowd is really up for it here at Anfield. every time the Reds fly forward it turns into a cauldron of noise.

How are Atalanta not ahead?

I was about to type what a miss as it looked like Mario Pasalic fired wide from close range, but it actually hits Caoimhin Kelleher’s face and goes past the post.

that’s going to be sore in the morning, but it was vital.

Cody Gakpo, hello!

The Dutch attacker strides past several players and slips through Darwin Nunez, but the striker can’t figure out where the ball has gone.

Classic Darwin!

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

One banner has been unfurled on The Kop – it says No To Ticket Price Increases in red letters against a white background. Team are out. Liverpool are favourites but Atalanta like to have a go.

Here we go then!

All three of our British teams are underway, and a huge night of European football has started.

Can all three of them make a monumental stride to the semi-finals?

Joe Bernstein is certainly right, Anfield is sounding electric right now.

You’ll Never Walk Alone is sung beautifully as always and now the Liverpool fans are rallying their players.

Sadly though, they play the Europa League music which isn’t very good, but thankfully the fans drown it out.

This is going to be a cracker!

Aadam Patel, Mail Sport, at Villa Park:

The Lille fans are in full flow already with more than 2,000 here for this clash. The likelihood is that Villa will have bigger European nights next season but make no mistake, Unai Emery and his side know they have a golden chance to win some silverware this season. His programme notes state how he, his players and Villa fans should “dream together”, just like the club did 42 years ago when they lifted the European Cup.

Joe Bernstein, Mail Sport, at Anfield:

No flags in evidence on The Kop so far – fans’ groups had said they were leaving them at home in protest of a rise in season-ticket prices. Even so, the atmosphere is building.

A rendition of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire has helped with that. Jurgen Klopp has rested a couple of big-hitters on the bench including Mo Salah but having Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota back in the matchday squad compensates for that.

Dick F, Forest fan: I thought that Aston Villa and West Ham were playing in Europe tonight. Where is their LIVE article to comment on?

Don’t worry Dick, we will be providing updates on both of those games right here!

We aren’t leaving them out, I promise.

The two 5.45pm kick-offs are over in the UECL.

A stalemate between Plzen and Fiorentina and a five-goal thriller in Greece.

This post is for you Villa fans, thought?

Wow, Atalanta fans are making some noise inside Anfield right now.

They got in there early to support their side and you feel they are going to be making noise all night.

When Atalanta faced Liverpool in 2020-21 it was behind closed doors, so they will be loving it now they are there.

Top-level support!

It’s going to look odd, but the Kop will have no flags on it tonight.

Fans have decided to remove the flash in protest of rising ticket prices for next season.

Jurgen Klopp said he understands why the fans are making the stand:

I understand the concerns, definitely. It’s a tricky one from my point of view. It’s clear we want to make the stadium available for everyone. I understand where the supporters are coming from.

Peter Crouch, former Liverpool striker, speaking on TNT Sports:

I think the proof’s in the pudding, I think he [Harvey Elliott] has been involved in every single squad that’s been named this season. He’s been fit and off the bench he’s done really well and he’s changed games.

I think sometimes that can do him a disservice, you don’t want to be known as one of those players who makes an impact off the bench.

The atmosphere is building at Villa Park and it looks like the Lille fans are enjoying themselves.

I’m surprised that the policeman is smiling when having his hat taken off him, I’m not sure I’d get the same response if I did it after work tonight.

Anyway, it’s nice to see them having a good time.

There were two early kick-offs in the Europa Conference League, so let’s have a look at the current scores after 70 minutes.

• Olympiakos 3-2 Fenerbahce
• Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Fiorentina

Things are suddenly looking nervy for Olympiakos who have conceded two goals after flying into a 3-0 lead.

Hooray, it’s finally arrived!

So Ademola Lookman does not start at Anfield, he is named among the substitutes.

Four ex-Premier League stars do start though. Davide Zappacosta, Gianluca Scamacca, captain Marten de Roon’s and Mario Pasalic.

Darwin Nunez has enjoyed the Europa League this season, bagging five goals in the competition so far.

Many Liverpool fans voiced their frustration over Nunez’s missed chances at Old Trafford on Sunday, so tonight is a chance for him to put smiles back on their faces.

Will he find the back of the net tonight?

We are still awaiting Atalanta’s starting 11, but we have clocked a photo of a certain former Toffee.

If he is indeed playing, Ademola Lookman would love to bag a goal against his former rivals!

Kathryn Batte, Mail Sport, at the BayArena:

A huge task for West Ham tonight against the 41-game unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen. The locals are certainly confident – one fans was telling me on the train that he’s already booked his hotel for Dublin, where the final will be played.

They need just one more win to secure the Bundesliga title and tickets for their final game of the season are allegedly going for 1,000 Euros. A buoyant atmosphere in these parts.

The fact Jurgen Klopp has made six changes and the team is still this strong proves the strength in depth Liverpool have.

Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, and Kostas Tsimikas all come in.

There is also a place on the bench for both Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold, which is a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp.

Gabriel Gudmundsson and Bafode Diakite start in the defence for Lille as the only two changes for the French side.

Former Manchester United man, Angel Gomes, has to settle for a place on the bench.

Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

Unai Emery has named an unchanged starting 11 from the one that drew 3-3 with Brentford on Saturday.

Big moves from Emery.

There is our answer, Michail Antonio replaces the injured Jarrod Bowen up top.

He is one of just two changes to the starting 11, as Aaron Cresswell comes in for Edson Alvarez.

Does that suggest a change of formation?

Xabi Alonso has run the changes, making seven in total.

Patrik Schick, the here of the last 16, returns to start in the hope of adding to his goal tally.

Jeremie Frimpong is also a standout to start as Nathan Tella drops to the bench.

The amount of changes proves their strength in depth

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, speaking on Wednesday:

We expect a super-organised opponent, so that’s what we expect. An experienced opponent as well. It means two legs, [the] first [one] away is a clear advantage, what everybody says. It just will be interesting. We are not the same [from] three-and-a-half years ago.

We are definitely different and the opponent probably as well. But in these three-and-a-half years I saw 1,500 games probably. I saw Atalanta playing but I cannot really compare it with three-and-a-half years ago because that’s not very prominent in my mind. But it will be tricky for both.

West Ham have arrived in Leverkusen.

It’s a huge night for them, and they are scouting out the surroundings before the night ahead.

I must say, the pitch looks like a carpet.

Angel Gomes, remember the name?

Gomes was one of the most sought-after talents while at Manchester United, everyone expected him to have a brilliant career, and so far he has.

The midfielder has proved his worth at Lille and is set to make his return to English soil tonight.

Watch out for what he does…

Look at Anfield right now, so peaceful.

This place really does get rocking on nights like tonight, the European atmosphere inside Anfield is no myth.

They’ve seen many highs, and they’ve seen many lows, and tonight another chapter is set to be written in Liverpool’s book of European history.

Will it be one to remember?

Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager, speaking on Wednesday:

Firstly, we must always respect the competition and Europe is always difficult. It is good to have experiences in this competition.

Sometimes we have difficult moments like against Legia Warsaw, when we won against Zrinjski in the last minute. We played two legs against Ajax and that was a very good experience for us.

We drew there, didn’t deserve more and at home we played really being consistent and with personality, seriously. We won. Lille is the same. Respect the competition and respect the opponent.

When you think of Unai Emery, you think of European trophies.

Emery is a master when it comes to European club competition, he has won four Europa League titles, with the latest coming in 2021 with Villarreal.

Aston Villa couldn’t be in better hands, so surely, their fans have no need to worry.

I know that’s not how football works. I’m sure all Villa fans will be a bag of nerves in just over 90 minutes.

Will Emery secure another European title this season?

Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen boss, speaking on Wednesday:

We know what West Ham can do. They have experience in Europe – last season they were champions of the Conference League.

We want to go further and starting tomorrow and then next week in London, we have to play to our own game. We are ready.

If tonight’s task wasn’t already tough enough for West Ham, they will have to face Bayer Leverkusen without their top marksman, Jarrod Bowen.

The Hammers star man, who has netted 19 times this season, suffered a knee injury against Wolves and may miss the second leg as well.

It’s a major blow to David Moyes’ side, Bowen would have caused Leverkusen all sorts of problems.

Well, he won’t now. Who will start instead of him?

In answer to the question, I have no clue.

On the one hand, Jurgen Klopp will not want to hold back in search of the only trophy that has evaded his grasp while at Liverpool.

But on the other hand, the Reds are in an intense three-way battle for the Premier League title, and that’s the holy grail that all fans and players alike are after.

Klopp has stated Liverpool ‘need all’ their players to help them compete in both competitions, so that could mean a lot of rotation will be done tonight, but who knows?

He may be able to call upon Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, and Diogo Jota after they all returned to training, but they may be kept on the sidelines for a little longer.

It’s anybody’s guess what he’ll do.

Tonight is simply huge for Aston Villa.

Their fans have not seen them grace a European quarter-final since 1997-98, so we could be set to hear a special atmosphere at Villa Park.

The Premier League side have more than earned their Europa Conference League ‘favourites’ status through their fantastic performances in the league and in Europe.

While Lille may not have been best pleased to draw Villa, they will certainly feel they can cause the top-four chasers’ problems, especially with Jonathan David up top.

A big occasion, involving big teams – what European competition is about.

It’s fair to say that West Ham did not get the easiest draw.

David Moyes’ side are travelling to the Bundesliga runaway leaders, Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in all competitions this season, yes you read that right.

Xabi Alonso has been a revelation in his first season at Leverkusen and they are set to end Bayern Munich’s 11-year stranglehold on the German top-tier.

Now, after reading that, you may think West Ham have no chance but don’t be fooled, David Moyes’ side can certainly mix it with the big boys.

You have to remember, the teams Leverkusen have faced this season have been far from special, other than the bigger sides of course.

They nearly got knocked out by Qarabag in the last 16 before their powers of recovery reigned supreme again. West Ham will be one of Alonso’s toughest opponents yet.

Can the Hammers hand out Leverkusen’s first loss of the campaign?

Liverpool love European football, no matter what the competition.

The Reds have been tearing up the Europa League this season and are clear favourites to lift the trophy in Dublin late next month.

While many think they will breeze to the final, it’s not going to be a walk in the park.

Tonight, Jurgen Klopp’s men play host to Atalanta, who have caused them problems in the past – beating them at Anfield in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage.

The Italian side are European regulars these days and currently sit sixth in Serie A, five points behind fellow Europa League quarter-finalists, Roma.

However, many still rightly expect a Liverpool win here tonight. The Reds will want to take their anger out on the pitch after their 2-2 draw to rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

They will be going for goals, lots of them.

Let’s not forget, it’s not just British sides in action, there are some huge ties elsewhere in Europe, and throughout the night we will give you updates on the ongoings around the grounds.

Warning, there are some crackers here, so let’s have a look at them:

Europa League

• Benfica vs Marseille 20:00 BST
• AC Milan vs Roma 20:00 BST

Europa Conference League

• Club Brugge vs PAOK Salonika 20:00 BST
• Olympiakos 1-0 Fenerbahce
• Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Fiorentina

When you get to the last eight in any competition, whether it’s your local Sunday league tournament or the Europa League, the pressure starts to rise.

Many of the teams will be feeling it tonight, it’s a big European night for all the British sides. Let’s take a look at our main feature games for you tonight:

Europa League

• Liverpool vs Atalanta 20:00 BST
• Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham 20:00 BST

Europa Conference League

• Aston Villa vs Lille 20:00 BST

Oh, do we have a busy night in store for you…

The Europa League this season is stacked with talented teams from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen and now we are at the quarter-final stage it is all about to heat up.

Tonight is a chance for both Liverpool and West Ham to take the initiative and gain first-leg advantages at a pivotal stage in the competition.

The Reds face Italian side Atalanta at Anfield, while the Hammers travel to Germany as they go up against Xabi Alonso’s high-flying Bundesliga leaders, Bayer Leverkusen.

Aston Villa are also in action tonight as Villa Park plays host to Lille in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final.

It’s set to be an enthralling night for all the British sides involved, so pull up a pew, and strap in, it’s about to get bumpy!