Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League this season suffered a major blow on Wednesday evening as Everton defeated them 2-0 at Goodison Park.
In what was Jurgen Klopp’s final Merseyside derby before leaving the club at the end of the season, Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both found the back of the net to secure the crucial three points for the Toffees and effectively end to Liverpool’s hopes of victory. the title.
Earlier this week, Arsenal defeated Chelsea 5-0 to increase their title hopes and now sit top of the league with a three-point lead over the Reds. Tonight, Manchester City, who have two games in hand against the Gunners, will look to close the gap as they travel to the south coast to take on Brighton.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace’s win over Newcastle halted the Magpies’ bid to reach the European spots, especially when Manchester United secured a 4-2 comeback win over Sheffield United.
We’ve got the latest reaction to the recent Premier League results plus the latest build-up ahead of tonight’s match:
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Reaction when Liverpool lost to Everton and damaged their title chances
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Manchester United come from behind to beat Sheffield United
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Crystal Palace beat Newcastle, leaving European places up for grabs
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Brighton will take on Manchester City tonight, kicking off at 8pm
Arsenal’s statement night proves one thing about the revived Premier League title challenge
12:36 , Mike Jones
So much for this being one of Arsenal’s tough remaining games, not to mention the idea that the title race was over. Chelsea had other plans for that, precisely because they could not implement any game plan of their own. They couldn’t do much at all.
It means that on a night when Arsenal went three points clear at the top with a 5-0 win in what is arguably Mikel Arteta’s best performance yet, it’s hard not to talk about Chelsea. The focus will again be on the future of Mauricio Pochettino.
The emphasis should be on the broader operation of this club. This was the humiliation that Chelsea had been threatening to suffer for some time. So much for the players who stepped up in the absence of an ill Cole Palmer.
Arsenal’s statement night proves one thing about the revived title bid
“Tough match but pleasant result,” said Sean Dyche
12:30 pm , Mike Jones
Everton manager Sean Dyche will be delighted with his side’s victory over Liverpool as not only is it a huge victory against their local rivals, but the three points should protect the Toffees from the threat of relegation.
“A tough match against top opposition, but to please the people for all of us,” Dyche said after the match on Match of the Day last night. “They care and we care, we have made that clear as a collective.
“A clean sheet and some big saves from Jordan Pickford, but we created enough chances ourselves. But there was energy and dedication to the cause.
“I thought the overall performance was very good. I don’t understand the depth of this derby as I’m not from here, but I’m learning quickly.”
Jurgen Klopp apologizes to Liverpool fans after the Merseyside derby defeat
12:24 , Mike Jones
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp apologized to fans for the Merseyside derby defeat to Everton on Wednesday evening (April 24).
The German’s latest visit to Goodison Park ended in his first defeat there, having previously won two and drawn five, after goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended their chances of beating their rivals Arsenal and Manchester City fell to pieces.
Van Dijk cannot explain Liverpool’s dip in form
12:18 , Mike Jones
Liverpool were eight games away from the title but have been reeling in recent weeks after a 4-3 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
“I wish I had a good answer,” said Van Dijk when asked what was no longer working for the Reds. “We are in this situation because we have been very consistent all season, even with all the injuries we had.
“I think at the start of the season everyone never thought we would be fighting for the title, but I don’t care what everyone says at the start.
“We are here now and we have to do much better. It starts with the fight, it starts with the will to win your challenges and have confidence in scoring goals and that is what we lacked a little bit.”
Virgil van Dijk questions Liverpool’s hunger after Everton defeat: ‘We have to look in the mirror’
12:12 , Mike Jones
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk questioned his side’s hunger to win the Premier League, saying ‘everyone needs to look in the mirror’. A 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park ended their title hopes under Jurgen Klopp.
Everton’s physical approach overwhelmed Liverpool as goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned the hosts a famous win in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool are just three points behind leaders Arsenal with four games remaining, but Manchester City have two games remaining in Klopp’s side and would be five points above them if they win both.
Virgil van Dijk questions Liverpool’s hunger after the defeat to Everton
Consequences of Liverpool’s defeat against Everton
12:05 , Mike Jones
Liverpool missed the chance to draw level with league leaders Arsenal, but will instead go into the final four games of the season three points behind, while Manchester City still have a game in hand.
The result gave Everton’s chances of staying in the top flight a huge boost, although without the eight-point deduction they would have already been assured of safety.
It was only Everton’s second Premier League Merseyside derby win since 2011, and it was one that will mean a lot to the club as the players and fans celebrated after the final whistle.
Reaction from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
11:58 , Mike Jones
While Liverpool still have a slim chance of winning the title, captain Virgil van Dijk said the Reds have “no chance” of winning the Premier League if they play like they did at Goodison.
“Very disappointed in so many ways,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the defeat. “I think everyone should look in the mirror and look at their own performance and whether they really gave it their all. Do they really want to win the competition?
“We are fighting, there are games after tonight but playing as we generally did in the match like today… not winning challenges and giving the referee the chance to give a free kick like he did so often, then you have no chance of winning a title.
“It is a difficult task and we have to do much better against a team that is [fighting] relegation. In the first half we had clear chances that we should have scored, but we weren’t good enough and that starts with the fight. We can’t let the season go like this.”
‘This is the end’: Jamie Carragher declares Liverpool’s title challenge over after Everton defeat
11:52 , Mike Jones
Jamie Carragher believes defeat to Everton is “the end” of Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at the club.
Liverpool are three points behind leaders Arsenal in the title race, while Manchester City could be five points ahead if they win their two games in a row.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports after the match: “This is the end of the title fight for Liverpool. It almost feels like the end. They just have to make sure they finish the season strong. They are not clinical enough in either box.”
He added: “Tonight is Everton’s night, you have to take it on the chin.”
What happened Wednesday night?
11:45 am , Mike Jones
The Wednesday evening matches provided talking points in the Premier League.
Everton’s stunning victory over title-chasing Liverpool simultaneously helped them move further away from the relegation zone and dealt a blow to the Reds’ chances of winning the Premier League.
Manchester United had to come from behind against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at Old Trafford, with captain Bruno Fernandes scoring twice in a 4-2 win.
Bournemouth are in 10th place after a 1-0 win against Wolves at Molineux and Jean-Philippe Mateta came to celebrate at Selhurst Park as the Frenchman scored twice in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
The moment Liverpool gave up their Premier League title challenge
11:40 am , Mike Jones
Now Jurgen Klopp has another reason why he won’t miss the Merseyside derby. His last trip to Goodison Park was his worst.
On a night when Everton had several reasons to celebrate, they defeated Klopp to almost secure a 71st consecutive season of top-flight football and effectively end Liverpool’s title challenge.
“You’ve lost the league at Goodison Park,” the Evertonians sang. Klopp has caused them untold pain over the past eight years. Finally, he got a taste of how painful Merseyside derbies can be for the losers.
The moment Liverpool gave up their Premier League title challenge
Good morning!
11:31 , Mike Jones
What a shock!
Liverpool’s loss to Everton effectively ends their chances of winning the Premier League and they now have to rely on Arsenal and Manchester City’s results to get back into contention.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ensured the Toffees were victorious in Jurgen Klopp’s latest Merseyside derby and those three points will give Sean Dyche’s men a huge boost to get them out of the relegation zone.
We’ll have the latest reactions from that result, plus others from the Premier League, plus the build-up to tonight’s match between Brighton and Manchester City, all day long.
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