Jurgen Klopp apologised for Liverpool’s abject performance in their first Merseyside Derby defeat at Goodison Park since 2010, with captain Virgil van Dijk saying Reds players need to ‘take a look in the mirror’.
Everton were deserved winners in a complete performance after goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave them a significant step towards safety while putting a dagger into Liverpool’s title hopes.
And Klopp says he feels sorry for Reds fans as it appears his era will not end with a fairytale ending. ‘I really feel for the people,’ he said. ‘We never lost here (under Klopp) and it feels really different. I really apologise for that.’
Asked if the title race is over, Klopp said: ‘We need a crisis at Manchester City and Arsenal and need to win football games.
‘We are not safe (to qualify for) the Champions League as well so we should just play better football. You can see we are in a rush in front of goal.’
Jurgen Klopp apologised for Liverpool’s abject performance on Wednesday night
Liverpool missed the chance to draw level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League
Van Dijk added: ‘Very disappointed in so many ways and everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances. (They should) ask if they really gave everything and do they really want to win the league?
‘And honestly, we are fighting and still have games after tonight but I think if we play like the game we did today, not winning challenges and giving the referee the opportunity to give a free-kick like we did many times then we have no chance to win the title.’
Club legend Jamie Carragher also blasted the Reds performance and said: ‘It’s not acceptable, certainly when Liverpool are going for the title.’
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Wayne Rooney added: ‘Again we are hearing about 12.30 kick-offs (moans about Saturday’s games at West Ham).
‘Those Liverpool players should be wanting to go tomorrow because when you lose a derby game you want the games to come quick.
‘Get on with it, it’s part of your jobs.’
Everton boss Sean Dyche, meanwhile, was delighted with his team’s display, one of the best of his tenure at Goodison Park.
‘I’m delighted for the Evertonians and the old-school Toffees who support us,’ he said. ‘Thank you to the fans, they were terrific tonight and Sunday.
Jarrad Branthwaite gave Everton a richly-deserved lead in the Merseyside derby
Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled the advantage for the home side in the 58th minute
‘I asked them to give their lot and we will try to give it back.
‘When I got here, the negativity around the whole club and situation… I’ve been talking about changing the narrative, just as we change it we get points taken off!
‘It’s not a done deal, there’s endless amounts of work to be done. But the last two games have been a real forceful reaction (to losing 6-0 at Chelsea).
‘This is for the people, 10 days ago people were telling me I don’t know what I’m doing, now I do! It is for the club and the fans.’
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