Liverpool needed to respond to Arsenal's win on Tuesday night to avoid falling out of the title race, but Jurgen Klopp's men found it difficult in the German's latest Merseyside derby.
Everton played a brilliant game at home at Goodison Park, and when Liverpool failed to capitalize on their chances, they ended up losing on Wednesday evening.
This means that Liverpool are now three points behind league leaders Arsenal with the same number of matches played. Manchester City is one point behind Liverpool again, but they have two games less.
Van Dyck will hear it
Everton produced a disciplined and efficient performance at home, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in particular struggling to push Liverpool forward. This was also pointed out by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
– They can't handle Calvert-Lewin. He said he was crushing Liverpool's centre-backs.
The Manchester United legend was particularly critical of goalkeeper Virgil van Dijk and how he appeared in Wednesday's match.
Van Dyck is complaining again, and I am surprised at how naive he is. Neville said the fact that he was complaining meant they had gotten into his head.
Viaplay player Jan Åge Fjørtoft also reacted to how much Van Dijk struggled against Everton, especially in the duel.
– I think I've never seen Van Dijk before, if we add Konate, Christmas – especially in the air as they were today. It was duel after duel that they lost. “Duels that you almost never see Van Dijk lose,” he said in the Viaplay studio.
The Dutchman himself was very disappointed after the defeat to his city rivals.
– Very disappointed in many respects. I think everyone needs to look in the mirror, look at their performance, and whether they really gave it their all. Do they really want to win the league?, Van Dijk tells Sky Sports.
Nunez slaughters after missing the opportunity
It was an exciting start to the game, because after five minutes, Everton thought they had won a penalty. However, a penalty was not awarded, because after a VAR check it was found that Calvert-Lewin was offside before being fouled by Alisson.
“It is the right and correct decision,” said Clinton Morrison, a BBC expert.
The fast start to the match continued and both teams eventually had good chances. Liverpool's first with Mohamed Salah, while Ben Godfrey and Calvert-Lewin were dangerous up front for Everton.
It was also the home team that took the lead. Liverpool succeeded in clearing the ball from inside their own penalty area, and the ball finally ended up with Branthwaite, who shot through Alisson into the goal.
After a VAR check, the home crowd roared with cheers.
Everton's lead meant Liverpool had to attack and it didn't take long for them to create several big chances. Firstly with Darwin Nunez, who took a great chance after playing beautifully forward.
– He has to score. He had the entire net to shoot at. Gary Neville said on a Sky Sports broadcast: He shot the ball directly at the goalkeeper, which is absolutely unbelievable.
The Uruguayan has received heavy criticism several times this season for missing big chances like this. Minnie Jacobsen chose to comment on Nunez's missed opportunity with a scathing message on X.
Calvert-Lewin scored
Shortly afterwards, Pickford denied another great Liverpool chance when Diaz got the chance from seven metres.
In extra time of the first half, the visitors had good opportunities, but the ball did not enter the goal. Thus, the two teams qualified for the end of the first half with a 1-0 lead against Everton.
Liverpool continued its pressure in the second half, but instead of equalizing, the hosts increased their lead.
The angle was swung neatly towards the back of the pitch where Calvert-Lewin ran free. Tarkovsky prevented the Liverpool players from getting around the striker, and thus was able to direct the ball directly into the goal.
But Liverpool did not give up, and in the 70th minute Luis Diaz hit the post. Klopp's men continued to try to find a way to reduce the score, but Everton controlled Liverpool well, and thus the match ended with a 2-0 victory for the hosts.
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