Liverpool suffer derby defeat, as title challenge runs out of steam

Jurgen Klopp's final Merseyside Derby ended in disappointing fashion, as Liverpool produced another awful performance at Goodison Park, losing 2 - 0 on the night, with the result effectively ending Liverpool's title challenge.

• Jurgen Klopp makes six changes from the team that defeated Fulham on Sunday
• Salah, Nunez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Konate, and Jones all return to the Starting XI
• Branthwaite gives Everton the lead midway through the first half
• Liverpool once again lacks energy or rhythm, with Everton players bullying their Reds counterparts

HALF-TIME - Everton 1 - 0 Liverpool

• Calvert-Lewin doubles the lead with a header from a corner
• Jurgen Klopp makes a triple change but subs have little impact
• Salah and Elliott have shots saved by Pickford, but Liverpool fails to create clear-cut chances

FULL-TIME - Everton 2 - 0 Liverpool

Match Summary

The Jurgen Klopp era is ending in miserable fashion, as Liverpool's players once again failed to show the passion or energy needed to win a Premier League match, especially a Merseyside Derby, as Everton bullied their local rivals to inflict only the second derby defeat during Jurgen Klopp's nine-year reign.

Sunday's excellent victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage appeared to have given Liverpool renewed hope in the title race, but as good as the Reds were in that game, they were equally as awful in this match, even with their 'star' players, such as Salah, Mac Allister, Nunez, and Szoboszlai all starting the game at Goodison Park.

But if Klopp was looking for a big performance from those players, they failed to materialise, with Salah, Szoboszlia, and particularly Konate looking a shadow of their former selves.  Indeed, questions must be asked as to why Klopp restored the aforementioned players after their replacements performed so admirably at Craven Cottage.

The defeat means Liverpool's title challenge is all but over, with Klopp and his players now playing for third spot, and Champions League qualification.

Liverpool's next match is another away game, this time at West Ham United, and Jurgen Klopp will need to use all his experience and motivational skills to try to lift his group of players, ahead of their trip to the London Stadium.

Everton vs Liverpool match stats (Premier League)

Possession
Everton 23% - %77 Liverpool

Total Shots
Everton 16 - 23 Liverpool

Shots on Target
Everton 6 - 7 Liverpool

Corners
Everton 4 - 13 Liverpool

Fouls
Everton 6 - 13 Liverpool

Man of the Match

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 9/10 - The Everton striker bullied Liverpool's defenders all night long, especially Konate, and scored the vital second goal at the start of the second half.

What's Next

Liverpool have another away game at the weekend, as they travel to West Ham for the lunchtime kick-off.  The game will be shown live on TNT Sports.  Kick-off is 12:30 GMT.

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