Jurgen klopp tenders apology to fans after Merseyside derby defeat
In a stunning upset at Goodison Park, Everton emerged victorious in the Merseyside derby, dealing Liverpool a significant blow to their Premier League title aspirations.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the net, securing three crucial points for Sean Dyche’s squad in their battle for survival in the top flight.
“To sum up, it was not good enough,” said the Liverpool manager.
“We played the game, or let it happen, what Everton wanted. They scored two goals from set pieces. The first one we somehow defended three times but in the end we put it on a plate. Branthwaite didn’t even kick the ball properly but the ball rolls over the line.
“After that we had our best period. We created big chances but didn’t score. Each situation we missed gave Everton momentum even more. Second half as well, not good enough.
Then you concede the second goal. I think everybody who is with Everton saw that goal already 20 times.
That’s their routine, everybody knows they put the ball there. The player is completely free. Obviously not the most inspired performance of all times. I really feel for the people, I am really sorry for that.
“We never lost here before and that feels really different. I really apologise for that. It was absolutely unnecessary but it happened.
Now we have to recover because the quickest of all turnarounds is waiting for us [at West Ham at 12.30pm on Saturday]. I can imagine it will be a challenge, mentally and physically.”
Klopp acknowledged his team’s culpability in the defeat, emphasizing the need for a major shift in fortune if they are to challenge for the title.
With talks underway to appoint Feyenoord’s Arne Slot as their new manager, Liverpool finds themselves trailing league leaders Arsenal by three points, with only a narrow one-point lead over Manchester City, who possess two games in hand.
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Reflecting on Liverpool’s diminishing title prospects, Klopp conceded that their chances are fading, highlighting the recent string of disappointing results.
“I can’t say now that we are still fully in it. We need a crisis at Man City and Arsenal and we need to win football games because if they start losing all their games and we do what we did tonight then nothing changes. We are not safe in the Champions League [qualification] as well so we should just play better football. That would be really good.”
Vigil Van Dijk disappointed with Liverpool performance.
Captain Virgil van Dijk echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the team’s faltering form in crucial fixtures.
“Everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances and ask if they really gave everything and do they really want to win the league?” said van Dijk. “We still have games after tonight but I think if we play like we did today, not winning challenges and giving the ref the opportunity to give free-kicks like we did many times, then we have no chance to win the title.”
In stark contrast, Everton manager Sean Dyche expressed delight in his team’s spirited response following a demoralizing 6-0 defeat to Chelsea just nine days prior.
“The last two games [wins over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest] have been a real forceful show of a reaction.
People said we don’t care. Of course we care. How can you do my job and not care? The reaction has been fantastic from all concerned.”
The victory not only bolsters Everton’s hopes of survival but also serves as a testament to their resilience in the face of adversity.
As the Premier League season approaches its climax, Liverpool finds themselves in a precarious position, with their title ambitions hanging in the balance.
