Atalanta coach confirms two stars from Liverpool, including 20-man HITC

Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that Marten De Roon and Robin Gosens will not be in the delicious Champions League clash with Liverpool on Tuesday when he speaks to Gianluca di Marzio.

Which is really a shame.

For the purists and neutrals, the chance to see the most creative full-backs in Europe compete against each other in Bergamo would have been an unforgettable sight.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is considered by many to be the best full-back in the world, but even he would struggle to keep up with Atalanta’s German express train when it comes to making a difference in the final third.

With ten goals on the left, Gosens was the most productive full-back of the last season.

The former Heracles man also produced eight assists, with his blustery storms likely to cause major problems for a Liverpool side who are arguably weak on the right – at least defensively.

Fortunately for Alexander-Arnold, Gosens won’t play a role on Tuesday. And neither is De Roon, Atalanta’s ball-winning enforcer.

“I think the two games against Liverpool are fundamental to us. We’re going to play against the best team in the group, ”said Gasperini.

“It’s important to get results in these games to give us a small advantage over Ajax.

“In football, the strongest team doesn’t always win. If you are weaker, you can get a result. We hope to do that.

“De Roon and Gosens will be outside.”

It’s not all bad news for Italians, however.

Gasperini adds that raging right-back Hans Hateboer could be fit while center-backs Berat Djimsiti and Rafael Toloi have recovered from their own injury problems.

In other news today, Rangers predicted the grid: Aribo starts, Bassey could come back