Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League this season are over following their 2-0 defeat at Everton on Wednesday, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher believes.
The result left the visitors three points behind leaders Arsenal with a sizeable goal inferiority and four matches to play.
Worse still for Jurgen Klopp’s side, the race for first is in Manchester City’s hands because the holders, who visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, are four points behind the Gunners with two extra matches to play.
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“This is the end of the title run,” Carragher told Sky Sports, observing that top scorer Mohamed Salah was partly culpable for the second goal.
“The way they started the game was really naive – giving silly fouls away, taking too long on the ball, letting the crowd get into it.
“At the start of the second half, I thought if [Liverpool] got one goal, they would score two. Mohamed Salah has been a shadow of himself.
“They’ve just got to make sure they finish the season strongly. They weren’t clinical enough in both boxes.
“I don’t think it’s the time to get angry with Jurgen Klopp or the players. It’s been a great ride, a great journey.”
Jarrad Branthwaite has set Goodison Park on fire! 🔥🔵 pic.twitter.com/d7KvmOcbgr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2024
Everton v Liverpool: Result ‘a long time coming’
Jarrad Branthwaite profited on chaotic defending to steer in the 27th-minute opener, providing a lead which was doubled when Dominic Calvert-Lewin leapt unmarked to head in the second 13 minutes after the break.
Calvert-Lewin was awarded an early penalty when goalkeeper Alisson clipped the striker, only for a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review to overturn the decision.
Luis Diaz went closest for Liverpool, hitting the woodwork with a shot after Everton’s second goal.
Klopp’s final season in charge is now likely to end with only the Carabao Cup to show for it, with Liverpool ousted from the Uefa Europa League in the semi-finals by Atalanta on Thursday.
“Liverpool were very naive in the way they defended set pieces because they knew that was coming,” said former Everton striker Wayne Rooney after the Toffees won the fixture in the top flight for the first time since 2010.
“It’s been a long time coming. I’m delighted for the fans because they’ve been through a difficult period over the last few years, wondering whether they’re going to be in the Premier League or not.”
