Liverpool vs Atalanta – Europa League quarter-finals: Live score, team news and updates as Jurgen Klopp’s side look to build lead in first leg while David Moyes’ West Ham face daunting trip to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen

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

Patrik Schick, the here of the last 16, returns to start in 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:

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

• 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:

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

• 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!