O Liverpool, current runner-up in the English Championship, suffered a heavy blow when they lost 2-0 this Wednesday (24) in the local derby against Everton at Goodison Park, a defeat that reduces their chances of winning the Premier League.
The ‘Reds’ have 74 points, three less than leaders Arsenal, who also have a better goal difference than the team led by coach Jurgen Klopp. Manchester City is third, with 73 points, but has played two fewer games than its two competitors, and is therefore the only one of the three in the dispute that only depends on itself.
“I can only apologize to the fans. We should have done better, but we didn’t,” the German coach told Sky Sports.
Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite (27′) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (58′) knocked out Liverpool, whose best opportunity was a shot at the crossbar by Colombian Luis Díaz (70′).
The ‘Reds’, who won the League Cup in February, lost strength in the final stretch of the season, with eliminations in the FA Cup and Europa League, and a poor run in the English championship that distances them from the Premier League title.
Klopp’s announced farewell will be less happy than expected, hampered by this drop in results at the worst possible moment of the season.
The “Toffees” have not beaten arch-rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park since October 17, 2010 (2-0) in the English championship.
“If we play like today, we have no chance of being in the title fight,” said Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk.
This was the second consecutive victory for Everton (16th, with 33 points) in the Premier League, three days after the triumph over Nottingham Forest. With this good run, the team led by coach Sean Dyche has an eight-point lead over Luton (18th, 25 points), the first to occupy the relegation zone.
This ‘fat’ should allow Everton, uninterruptedly present in the first division since 1954, to remain in the elite of English football at the end of the season, despite having been punished with the loss of eight points for violating the championship’s financial rules.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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