Image source, Reuters

• Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca has scored in each of his last four appearances in the Europa League (five goals), the longest run by an Italian in the competition since Giuseppe Rossi in October 2015 (run of four).
• Scamacca is the first visiting player to score at least two goals against Liverpool at Anfield since Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema both claimed a double in the Champions League in February 2023
• He is also just the third player to score twice against the Reds in the Europa League after Oscar Cardozo in April 2010 and Coke in May 2016.

Gianluca Scamacca had a difficult spell with West Ham after being signed from Sassuolo on a five-year deal in 2022.

The Italy striker went back to his homeland after just one season, in which he scored eight goals in 27 games for the Hammers.

But the 25-year-old enjoyed a successful return to England last night, scoring twice in a 3-0 win at Anfield.

Image source, the i

The Times, external also leads on Liverpool's defeat by Atalanta and reports that Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met with Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley in a bid to agree a deal over appointing Dan Ashworth as sporting director at Old Trafford.

Image source, The Times

Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and the club and fans were hoping to give the German boss a triumphant send-off.

The Reds have already won the League Cup this season and are still in contention in two more competitions - the Europa League and of course the Premier League.

But are their hopes of European glory this season now over? Hit thumbs up for yes, down for no.

Image source, Daily Mirror

Today's Telegraph also leads on Liverpool's shock defeat by Atalanta.

It was the joint-heaviest defeat the Reds have had at home in major European competition alongside a 3-0 defeat in October 2014 and 5-2 defeat in February 2023 - both against Real Madrid.

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Mike (South Africa)

Now then, let's how a look at how today's newspapers reacted to last night's results.

We'll begin with the Mail, which says that Liverpool were "embarrassed" by Italian side Atalanta as they suffered their first home defeat since losing 5-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League in February 2023. That ends a 33-game unbeaten run; the fifth-longest in the Reds' history.

Image source, Daily Mail

It is a measure of how tight the battle for that fifth Champions League slot is that if Liverpool had managed a draw against Atalanta last night, or West Ham had held on for a draw in Leverkusen, England would be top.

As it was, neither happened, so Germany has sneaked ahead. Both countries gained two co-efficient points last night - with Aston Villa beating Lille - but Germany's are worth more because they only had seven teams in Europe, compared to England's eight.

So Germany are now back in second place, with an overall score of 16.785, compared to England's 16.75. So much now hinges on one of West Ham or Arsenal making it through to the semi-finals by overcoming German opposition.

Conversely, Atalanta's victory at Anfield means Italy is clear at the top of the table with 18.428, so they are nearly certain to get a fifth Champions League spot.

Image source, Reuters

Bayer Leverkusen scored two late goals to condemn West Ham to defeat in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final in Germany.

Jonas Hofmann fired through a crowd of bodies for Xabi Alonso's side after the visitors struggled to clear a corner with seven minutes remaining.

Victor Boniface then doubled the lead in the first minute of injury time with a well-directed header from Hofmann's cross.

Alonso's hosts dominated possession but were largely frustrated by a superbly organised Hammers defence until Hofmann's late intervention.

Image source, PA Media

Goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn gave Aston Villa a narrow first-leg lead over Lille in their Europa Conference League quarter-final as Unai Emery marked his 1,000th game as a manager.

Watkins scored in the 13th minute, left unmarked in the box to head in from a McGinn corner.

Leon Bailey then played the ball to McGinn from a corner and he doubled the lead with a fierce strike into the bottom corner in the 56th minute.

With six minutes remaining, Lille got a goal back as Bafode Diakite flicked in a header from Angel Gomes' cross.

Image source, PA Media

Liverpool face a huge battle to stay in the Europa League after suffering a shock home defeat to Atalanta in the quarter-final first leg at Anfield.

Former West Ham forward Gianluca Scamacca scored in each half, before ex-Chelsea player Mario Pasalic added a late third goal to ensure the Italians start strong favourites to reach the semi-finals when the sides meet in next Thursday's return in Bergamo.

Scamacca broke the deadlock in the 38th minute after Caoimhin Kelleher allowed his low drive to creep under him.

On a deeply frustrating night for below-par Liverpool, Darwin Nunez missed two big chances, while Harvey Elliott's curling attempt struck the bar before dropping on to the post.

Mohamed Salah, who started on the bench, forced a fine save from Juan Musso after Kelleher had atoned for his error to stop the unmarked Teun Koopmeiners from doubling Atalanta's lead.

The Egyptian also had a goal disallowed for offside, but the Reds were flat and lacked urgency in their play - and were punished for some dreadful defending.

Image source, Reuters/EPA

This week's European action continued on Thursday and it was a mixed night for the three Premier League clubs involved.

West Ham conceded two late goals to lose at runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen while Aston Villa beat Lille and Liverpool were stunned at home by Atalanta.

We'll kick off today's live page with reaction to last night's games, then bring you the latest from today's news conferences and look ahead to the weekend's Premier League matches as an enthralling end to the season continues.