Liverpool suffered a shock 3-0 loss to Atalanta on Thursday to leave their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread.
Manager Jurgen Klopp rested Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson but the decision backfired.
Italian international Gianluca Scamacca scored twice. He fired in a cross from Davide Zappacosta, which squirmed under Caoimhin Kelleher for the opener after 38 minutes.
Scamacca completed his brace in the second half, somehow finding space behind the Liverpool backline before expertly arrowing in a Charles De Ketelaere cross with his weaker foot.
Kelleher made a great save in the early minutes and had to deny Teun Koopmeiners again before the half-time break.
Darwin Nunez had an early chance that he squandered, and Harvey Elliott hit the underside of the bar before La Dea took the lead.
Nunez skied another terrific chance to bring Liverpool back into the tie with the game at 1-0.
Szoboszlai made a dreadful mistake that allowed former Chelsea man Mario Pasalic to score the third and wrap up the win for the Serie A side.
Liverpool have a massive mountain to climb when they travel to Italy next week for the second leg.
Klopp will be wondering what he must do to turn the tide after two poor results. The recent draw against Manchester United set Liverpool back in the title race, even though all hope is not lost.
However, this loss leaves a bitter taste. Liverpool struggled to get going and were played off the park by an Atalanta side that wanted it more.
