I think maybe Atalanta is better when compared to Sparta Prague but still they are not better than Liverpool. After knowing Liverpool's very strong performance when against Sparta Prague, Atalanta they definitely started to prepare a defensive strategy so that Liverpool could not attack Atalanta brutally like they did to Sparta. Prague, but playing a defensive strategy alone is not enough if Atalanta does not have the strength to attack and provide fierce resistance to the Liverpool players to be able to break through the Liverpool defense.
Indeed, this is quite a tough obstacle that Atalanta has to overcome in the quarter-finals because their opponent is a big Premier League club and their current condition is very good so Atalanta's chances of winning are very unlikely because Liverpool will not let their opponent get away easily and Liverpool wants to present very fierce competition in all the competitions it plays.
Yes, Liverpool's current performance in the Premier League is almost on par with Manchester City, therefore many people are Liverpool favorite for in the European League. Just as they are Manchester City favorite for in the Champions League because both of them have a strong performance in this big competition to be able to win the title and if both of them win titles in these two big competitions. The Premier League is a very strong club this season and also makes the name of the English league proud.
Atalanta have been an improving side overtime. They've had some rough edges but their performance in the league is still seen. Even though they may not be top trophy contenders, they're trying to stay in the domestic league instead of relegating. They'll be playing against Liverpool in the next phase of the UEL and goodnews is they've been able to gather enough confidence and momentum for the game which still puts them in and advantageous spot of finishing with a tangible result regardless. Of both teams, there's struggle atmosphere present and even though Liverpool won't take mercy with them, the both teams will strive to see that they either win or get a draw at the end of the first leg.
One would have to wait patiently for the game's final result. There'll definitely be an advancement of either teams after the second leg of the contest. The EPL is competitive too and so focus should be put in it but the UEL trophy to me would actually have more worth than the EPL. The UEL journey may not necessarily be stressful for them as Liverpool tends to be better than the teams in the tournament, their tough counterpart will definitely be Leverkusen because they've had more or less same domestic league results as Liverpool and the team is everly eager to strive to win games and they're aiming for the trophy.
It's good that the both of them are in the same condition and then also have the same goal and target in the domestic and continental tournaments too. I believe that Liverpool has everything it takes to be champions in this season's UEL, their only challenge may be Leverkusen though but they're definitely up for a competitive game. They've got the players and skills with both teams having the same goal and vision ahead of the competitions too. They're the two strongest and toughest team in the contest and I won't be surprised if they conquer all their opponents till the final stage.