KOP HOPE FLAGGING

Shock loss hits Klopp farewell plan

- ANDY DUNN

NO flags on the Kop, no wind in Liverpool's sails - this was a night when Jurgen Klopp's farewell some serious tour hit turbulence.

It was a night when a Premier League mis-step at Old Trafford was followed by a serious European fall at Anfield.

Klopp rested Mo Salah for 45 minutes and watched his chosen ones rest themselves.

With about 15 minutes remaining in the contest, Joe Gomez with many a team-mate waiting for a delivery into the danger area - took a shot from 25 yards.

Klopp erupted as only an angry Klopp can. Not long after, Mario Pasalic shovelled salt into the Liverpool manager's gaping wound with a tap-in Atalanta third. That just about summed up Liverpool's night and Klopp looked almost relieved when referee Halil Umut Meler blew the final whistle.

Meler was the official who was punched by a Turkish club president this season.

There was no chance of owner John W Henry landing one on the official-probably because there is no chance of Henry attending a match at Anfield nowadays.

When he does rock up next, he is unlikely to get a warm welcome from a Kop that downed its flags in protest at next season's ticket prices.