Liverpool still require one more win to reach the Champions League last 16 after they were beaten 2-0 by Atalanta at Anfield
The Serie A club were mature and methodical as they avenged the 5-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this month, and were good value for their victory as Liverpool registered no shots on target during the entire match
Josip Ilicic broke the deadlock from Papu Gomez's cross on the hour-mark before Robin Gosens doubled their lead (64) as Liverpool suffered an off night
The result means the Premier League champions remain top of Group D on nine points but Ajax joined Atalanta behind them on seven points each after their 3-1 win over Midtjylland, which eliminated the Danes
Nothing that happened on the pitch at Anfield would eclipse the news which broke hours before this contest, with Diego Maradona's passing rightly set to dominate the media in the coming days, and a minute's silence was held before kick-off to honour the Argentina legend
Liverpool knew that victory would assure their place in the last 16 when the competition returns in February, but it took them 44 minutes to produce their first shot
 James Milner played a free-kick short to Kostas Tsimikas, and after Rafael Toloi failed to properly clear, Mohamed Salah's right-foot effort failed to trouble Pierluigi Gollini
Atalanta were by far the more threatening as Gian Piero Gasperini watched his side play the more enterprising football, orchestrated by the evergreen Gomez
The Argentine was once defended by Maradona for a foul on Lucas Biglia during a Serie A clash which placed the-then AC Milan midfielder's presence at the 2018 World Cup in jeopardy, and his sharp turn of pace and low centre of gravity lit up a drab opening 45 minutes
Atalanta carved out the best chance as Cristian Romero found the overlapping run of Robin Gosens but his snapshot was palmed away at his near post by Alisson
 There was one other noteworthy incident when Ilicic fell theatrically under a challenge from Tsimikas but referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande was unmoved
Having won their first three games without conceding a goal, Liverpool knew they had done the hard work already - but Jurgen Klopp was unimpressed, seeking to inject some much-needed urgency into his troops at the break
The Liverpool manager sent out Diogo Jota, Andrew Robertson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino to warm up within minutes of the restart having seen little improvement, but worse was to come as Atalanta duly took the lead
Inevitably, Gomez was involved as his sublime cross from the left was stabbed home from close range by Ilicic, underneath the body of Alisson
Four substitutes and four minutes later, Liverpool were 2-0 down
 Another cross from Gomez was this time headed back across goal by Hateboer and Gosens was unmarked to volley in from seven yards out
This was unfamiliar territory for the six-time European champions
 Indeed, it was the first time Liverpool had been two goals behind in a Champions League game at Anfield since October 2014, against Real Madrid
The hosts were playing the price for their passive display, with news of Ajax's lead over Midtjylland putting the squeeze on their advantage at the summit - but there would be no historic comeback this time
Duvan Zapata blazed a late chance of a third over but having dismantled Atalanta in Bergamo three weeks ago, this was a rude awakening for Liverpool ahead of the visit of Ajax next week
Liverpool boss  told : "It was not a good game
 From both teams, didn't create a lot, until they scored the goals
"A deserved defeat in a difficult game
 The ref didn't whistle a lot and that makes it even more difficult, for both sides
 It was unbelievably intense and you need some breaks
"When the first half is gone, you usually settle but for some players who didn't play for a while it was very intense for them
 We didn't find a way in the game
"Easier to talk about a good game
 We had moments but not real chances
 It could happen to other teams
 Thumbs up, no injuries and we go again
""The priority was the weekend against Brighton because of how strong a position Liverpool already find themselves in
 Ultimately, it's about getting through the group
 Liverpool ideally would like to win the group, but there's two games still to go - one at home to Ajax while they'd be expected to win the final game if it does go down to it against Midtjylland
"Klopp made the five changes tonight, and it was flat, it was disjointed
 The lads who came in didn't take their opportunity
 It's a reminder that Atalanta are a decent side and they responded to the defeat a few weeks ago
 They didn't give Liverpool the space they did in that first game and got their rewards
"Salah was back after a couple of negative Covid tests, but he was overshadowed by the brilliant Gomez
 No player produced more passes in the opposition's half than the 32-year-old (44), who enjoyed his evening back on Merseyside, providing an assist as well as playing a role in the build-up to the second
It was three years ago this week that he laid on two assists during Atalanta's 5-1 thrashing of Everton in the Europa League, and on the night when Maradona's career has been celebrated, it only seemed fitting that his countryman in a No 10 shirt would leave such an impression on the pitch
Liverpool travel to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League; kick-off 12
30pm
 They return to Champions League action when they host Ajax on Tuesday, December 1; kick-off 8pm
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