Atalanta striker Zapata believes they can hurt Liverpool

Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata believes the Serie A club is capable of hurting England champions Liverpool if they play their game.

The two clubs will clash in the third match of UEFA Champions League Group D tonight at Gweiss Stadium in Bergamo. The Colombian, who has been in spectacular form in the tournament with three goals in two games, said all Atalanta needs to do is to match the intensity of Liverpool.

Liverpool will be missing key players like Virgil van Dijk, who is believed to be out of season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Merseyside Derby, and Brazilain utility player, Fabhino, who replaced him.

The 29-year-old center-forward at a press conference ahead of tonight’s clash said the absence if the Dutch captain won’t change much for the club’s attackers today, adding that having some players out injured doesn’t mean anything.

Zapata, who also noted that it would be a very difficult game, lauded a strong Liverpool team, adding that anyone in their line-up will have experience.

Acknowledging that they know the Orobici to be attacking minded team, he said his lads are determined throughout the game.

Knowing that it will be difficult to beat the English side and match their intensity, Zapata believes that they can hurt Liverpool on their home ground before traveling to England to play them again.

While noting that Liverpool is already an international team with class, having won the Premier League and the Champions League in two years, the Colombian striker said things wouldn’t be easy for their defence either.

Atalanta has a threat in Zapata himself, and Luis Muriel, Hans Hateboer, Mario Pasalic, and Papu Gomez, while Liverpool will bank on Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Thiago Alcantara to do the damage.

It is expected to be an end to end affair as both teams are attacking minded.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed