Jarrad Branthwaite's strike writhes under Alisson after a comedy of errors in Liverpool's defence. Photo: Shutterstock
When you If you're fighting to stay in the title race and need a win at home to your city rivals, you won't get away with the disastrous defending that gave Everton the lead against Liverpool. .
It was the definition of a kamikaze defending against Jurgen Klopp's side, who were battered and intimidated by Everton's direct and physical approach, and it showed when Jarrad Branthwaite gave the home side a deserved lead.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the second goal. Everton's heavy goal dealt a blow to their city rivals' title hopes with a first derby win in 14 years.
Telegraph Sport reports a catastrophic break from the Liverpool defense…
1. Van Dijk missed his header
Everton tried to test the Liverpool defense with crosses into the box and Dwight McNeill's free-kick was beautiful, but that didn't excuse Virgil van Dijk who completely misjudged the flight of the ball to allow Branthwaite to take the lead and rise above Dominik Szoboszlai to win the opening header.
2. Weak attempt to clear the ball from Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool survived the first wave, but had to ask questions on Trent Alexander-Arnold's defence, as he made a half-hearted attempt to clear the ball with his head. This allows James Tarkowski to bring it back into the mix.
3. Robertson blocks but no one clears
The Liverpool defender holds up well and blocks an unmarked Ben Godfrey but pings The pong inside the penalty area continues.
4. Unwanted assist to Konate
After Robertson blocks the ball, Konate deflects the ball across the six-yard box into the path of Branthwaite, who was left in too much space after getting to his feet after winning the first header.
5. Alisson dives over the ball
Branthwaite's shot was not clean, and perhaps the Liverpool goalkeeper expected it as he misjudged his leap completely , the ball twisted under his body and leaked across the goal line through the inside of the post.
Watch all the trouble unfold here…
Jarrad Branthwaite set Goodison Park on fire! 🔥🔵 pic.twitter.com/d7KvmOcbgr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2024 Jurgen Klopp regrets Liverpool defeat as hopes for Arsenal and Manchester City 'crisis'
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has apologized for a modest defeat in the Merseyside derby, which he admitted leaves his side «needing a crisis at Arsenal and Manchester City to keep their title hopes alive.»
Klopp's chances of a second Premier League title look slim after being beaten by Everton, who earned a deserved 2-0 win thanks to goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“I very disappointed and upset. To sum it up, it wasn't good enough,” Klopp said.
“We played the game Everton wanted.”
“Obviously not the most inspiring performance of all time. I really feel for people. I'm really sorry. Just like that. People have told me so often about the great record, especially before the Derby, but you will never win here. But we never lost, and it's a completely different feeling. I'm really sorry about that. It was completely unnecessary, but it happened. We can't change this anymore. Now we need to recover.”
Klopp was hoping for a glorious farewell to Anfield and the perfect legacy for his expected successor, Dutchman Arne Slot. Hours before the game, Liverpool formally approached the Feyenoord manager, providing a financial settlement — all that stands in the way of confirming the 45-year-old's appointment.
Klopp apologized to Liverpool fans for his team's modest performance. Photo: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images
But he is unlikely to take over the Premier League title.
«You can read the table,» Klopp said.
«I can't say right now that we're still fully there. We need a crisis at Manchester City and Arsenal and we need to win football matches because if they start losing all their games and we do what we did tonight, nothing will change.
“We're not safe in the Champions League [qualifying], so we You just have to play better football. That would be really [good].”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk supported his coach.
“I can only apologize for today. We should have done better but we didn't,” he told Sky.
Liverpool's poor performance included another lackluster performance from Klopp's forwards. Sky Sports pundit and Telegraph columnist Jamie Carragher has slammed Darwin Nunez's failure to convert in the first half.
«Nunez's chance to miss before the break is unforgivable at this level,» Carragher said. “Especially when Liverpool are fighting for the title.
Nunez shoots straight at Jordan Pickford Photo: AP Photo/Jon Super
“In two years there will be no massive improvement in Nunez. I don't think he's enough to win trophies. There are big decisions to be made in the summer.»
For Sean Dyche, it was the satisfaction of a first derby win and perhaps Everton's highest-scoring performance of his reign.
» I'm delighted to be playing against a top team,” said Dyche.
“I'm delighted for the Evertonians and the old school Toffees. I'm really happy for the club.
“I've talked endlessly about the negativity around the club and changing the narrative. We get close and then the glasses come off and the waves crash over you. Only we can deal with this.
“It all starts on the field. We have resumed the process. There is some work to be done here. The last two games were a spectacle. The reaction [to the Chelsea defeat] was fantastic.»
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