Liverpool FC put in a poor performance in the Merseyside derby at Everton at an inopportune time. Jürgen Klopp’s hopes in the title race are fading
Jürgen Klopp was able to field almost his best line-up in the Merseyside derby at relegation-threatened Everton FC, but the Reds were miles away from their best performance on Wednesday evening. Liverpool played into the Toffees’ hands with their style of play. Many misplaced passes were compounded by insufficient counter-pressing, which often resulted in free-kicks against LFC.
These were ultimately decisive in the city duel. “We conceded both goals from set-pieces against a team that lives from set-pieces,” Klopp began his analysis on the Sky microphone, but did not leave out the referee Andrew Madley. “The first free-kick was not a free-kick, even the fourth official says that,” said Klopp. Ultimately, however, it “didn’t matter” because “in the end we put the ball on them ourselves.” Liverpool were unable to clear the ball several times after one of Dwight McNeil’s many free-kicks, and Jarrad Branthwaite finally scored under Alisson and with the help of the inside of the post to give his side the lead. “A terrible goal” according to Klopp
Better counter-pressing, but no goals
Afterwards, however, his Reds “really put the Toffees under pressure and the counter-pressing worked,” said Klopp. Liverpool missed the equalizer several times, however. “We actually had to score. I would have liked to have seen the game out after the equalizer,” said the outgoing LFC coach. However, the game at Goodison Park continued to take on bitter overtones after the restart, as Liverpool got involved in “battles in which the opponent is better than us”. Those battles were the direct, decisive duels, which LFC did not fight with the necessary toughness for almost the entire duration of the match
The result was 0:2, which again came from a set piece, this time after a corner. “The second goal against is the result of a routine they’ve been using all year. In the end, he’s still completely free,” said Klopp, wondering about the positioning in his defense – Dominic Calvert-Lewin had taken a corner from McNeil almost unchallenged.
“City and Arsenal need a crisis now “
Liverpool never came back after that, partly because “the boys weren’t themselves at the end”, said Klopp, criticizing the lack of composure in the opposition penalty area. All of this ultimately led to the first defeat at the Toffees since October 2010. “It feels very dirty because we let it happen. It wasn’t good enough tonight,” said Klopp self-critically.
Arsenal have now moved three points clear in the table, while Manchester City, who still have two more games to play, can pull away completely. Will that be it for the league title? “We should focus on getting into the Champions League first.” According to Klopp, that would require “the quickest turnaround ever”, as Liverpool are in demand again at West Ham on Saturday lunchtime. However, the 56-year-old is no longer holding out too much hope of winning the Premier League. “If we ever had it in our own hands, then we definitely don’t now. City and Arsenal need a crisis now, but if you play like you did today, why should you become champions?” Klopp’s analysis was tough, but honest