Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League are shattered after a 0–2 Merseyside Derby loss to Everton
With a 2-0 loss on Wednesday, Everton put an end to Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League championship, winning their first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park since 2010.
Due to their defeat, Jurgen Klopp’s team is now only one point behind reigning champion Manchester City, who still have two games remaining, and three points behind leaders Arsenal.
“With four games remaining in his reign, we need to win football games and we need a crisis at City and Arsenal,” Klopp remarked in reference to his team’s chances of winning the championship.
With goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton moved eight points clear of the relegation zone.
The Toffees lost eight points on two counts of breaking financial regulations, but it now seems assured they will prolong their 70-year tenure in the English Premier league.
Despite having won all eight of his prior meetings at Goodison, Klopp’s last encounter with the Merseyside Derby was bittersweet.
Following an almost nine-year reign that has turned the club’s fortunes around, hopes of a magnificent farewell for the Germans are rapidly dissipating.
Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, said, “If we play like today, we have no chance to consider ourselves in the race.”
“I believe that everyone has to examine themselves in the mirror to see how they performed and if they gave it their all. Are they really interested in winning the league?
Arne Slot, the manager of Feyenoord, is reportedly being considered as Klopp’s replacement. The last few weeks have shown shortcomings that the Liverpool management has to address in a crucial summer.
“Motivation, dedication”
In addition to losing their past four league games, the Reds have just been eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Europa League.
After resting many important players for Sunday’s 3-1 victory against Fulham, Klopp made six changes, but he did not get the reaction he was hoping for.
Everton has changed from the team that went 13 games without a victory in the Premier League between December and April. They are encouraged by their victory against Nottingham Forest this past weekend, which allowed them to escape the relegation zone.
“Happy for the Evertonians and delighted with our players’ performance,” said Everton manager Sean Dyche.
“We are aware of their positive attributes. Our dedication and effort have to be present.
One recurrent theme in Liverpool’s failure to win four titles has been their slow beginnings.
When Calvert-Lewin was tripped by Alisson Becker in the first few minutes, Everton believed they had a penalty, but VAR stepped in to rescue the visitors since the striker was offside.
Liverpool then found it difficult to contain Everton’s threat from set-pieces as Alisson turned away a header from Calvert-Lewin and Ben Godfrey headed wide.
On minute 27, the Reds’ more absurd defense finally paid off.
Despite Alisson’s best attempts, Branthwaite’s shot went in off the post after Alexis Mac Allister mishit the ball.
Everton’s advantage was only maintained until halftime because to a mix of Jordan Pickford’s squandering finishing and Liverpool’s awakening after falling behind.
Before Luis Diaz, a Uruguayan, set up Darwin Nunez to shoot too near to Pickford, the England number one was clean through.
The timing of Mohamed Salah’s decline in form is disastrous for Liverpool’s championship hopes, as the Egyptian curled up another decent opportunity and missed it.
After the interval, Liverpool was encamped in the Everton half, but shortly before the hour, another dead ball allowed the home team to take a bigger lead.
Dwight McNeil’s corner was given a free header by Calvert-Lewin at the back post.
Pickford was ultimately overcome by Diaz’s strong strike that rebounded off the post, capping Liverpool’s evening.
However, since he seems destined to leave Anfield with only one Premier League trophy under his belt, it was Klopp who was devastated as the final whistle blew.
