Liverpool beat Atalanta 1-0 at Gewiss Stadium but was still eliminated from the Europa League in the quarter-finals, having lost 0-3 in the first leg.

That makes it impossible for Liverpool stars to be in a good mood when returning to England

In football, there are victories that transcend the scoreboard. Sometimes, it’s about hope and, most importantly, belief. Liverpool knew that feeling as they departed the pitch after a resounding triumph over Atalanta. Yet amidst the smiles and jubilation of the fans, there was a shadow that not everyone acknowledged.

On the flight back, the atmosphere shifted. The fluorescent lights gleamed off the players’ goggles, but that light couldn’t dispel the sadness within them. The euphoria of a triumphant win had been blurred by something, a subtle darkness, a small ache no one wanted to admit.

Deep within their minds, the image of a teammate, a friend, still lay on a hospital bed. Was it Van Dijk, with his towering presence and undeniable talent? Or Salah, with his piercing gaze and exquisite goals? No, this time it was Firmino. He had fought hard in the game, but an unfortunate collision forced him off the field.

The players all knew that no matter how grand the victory, the absence of a teammate was always a shock. It was a feeling unlike any injury suffered on the pitch, but a melancholy that couldn’t be expressed in words.

As the plane touched down, the airport became a place of solemnity. The players, though still smiling and conversing, knew in their hearts that a part of them remained on the pitch, alongside their struggling teammate. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a painful experience, a darkness that Liverpool couldn’t easily shake off. But within that pain, there was one certainty: they would always stand united.