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How Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 in Klopp's final derby to damage rivals' title hopes
Premier League result: Everton 2-0 Liverpool
- 27': Branthwaite beat Alisson from close range to open the scoring.
- 58': Calvert-Lewin headed home a corner to double Everton's lead.
GO FURTHER
Everton 2 Liverpool 0: Klopp’s first-ever Goodison defeat all but ends title dream – The Briefing
Klopp: 'We weren't good enough'
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More from Jurgen Klopp's post-game comments following Liverpool's loss: "I'm very disappointed. We let it become the game Everton wanted. Two goals from set pieces. They are really strong. But we created a lot and didn't score. Then in the second half we were emotional and in a rush, not really clear enough. Then we concede a second goal with a routine they do the whole season – we knew the ball was going there we just didn't defend it well enough. It was free kick after free kick. That was part of the story. But we weren't good enough.
"I didn't expect that performance but it happened. It's not the greatest moment we're in but you have to fight through it, use your moments to get your momentum. We had a bit of that after Fulham but our two strikers, one is injured (Jota) and the other is a father (Gakpo on paternity leave). That's not helpful.
"You don't play your best football and are 2-0 down to a passionate, fighting opponent. We tried but it wasn't good enough. When you win there are five hundred reasons but when you lose it's just not good enough. That's how it is."
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'Let's forget about everything else for a bit and enjoy this one'
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Everton fans on our discussion page, meanwhile, are basking in the glory of their side's win...
Bobbie R: 10/10 EVERY SINGLE PLAYER
Jack H: Terrific. Just terrific. It's been a truly s**** few years. Let's forget about everything else for a bit and enjoy this one.
Andrew G: Look, I won’t say Jurgen and Forest’s constant blaming of referees for their troubles CAUSED these losses. But I also can’t say that finger pointing helped. Good riddance Jurgen, hope the door hits you on the way out.
'Still proud of the boys and everything they’ve achieved'
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Liverpool fans on our discussion page are holding their heads high despite tonight's rough result...
Kj M: Horrible game, horrible way to go out, can’t believe all our rivals and Bogeys are who ended it for us, still proud of the boys and everything they’ve achieved this season, hopefully enjoy the end of Klopp’s reign, get top 4, reset for next season. Think Salah is off, think the defensive rebuild finishes and excited to see who the next coach is. Rough night, but YNWA
Max O: Better lose the title by 3+ points than to lose it by 1 point again. Big challenge waiting for the incoming manager. Feel sorry for Klopp but nothing will take away from the great memories he left for us.
Dyche praises Calvert-Lewin, Pickford
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Sean Dyche also spoke to Sky Sports after the match: "They're a good side, we know that. The commitment from us had to be there. The energy of the side and also the key moments.
"I thought (Dominic Calvert-Lewin) was outstanding tonight. We've been trying to get him back to where he needs to be and I thought he was outstanding. He gets a goal. He tried to get (Branthwaite's goal) over the line and I love that. The second one is a great header.
"Jordan Pickford made some big saves in the first half. It's rare you stop these sides having chances so you need moments yourself. It's hard to pick out one or two.
"We spoke about the desire and the energy of the team and the physical side of the game. The lads did it on Sunday and they'll have to do it again. That's the challenge."
Klopp unsure if Liverpool still have chance at winning PL title
Jurgen Klopp was asked whether Liverpool can still win the title after today's loss, responding: "Arsenal and Manchester City must have a very bad moment. I don't know. I can only apologise for today to the people. We should have done better but we didn't."
Van Dijk: 'We can't let the season go out like this'
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Virgil van Dijk spoke to Sky Sports after Liverpool's loss: "Very disappointed in so many ways. I think everyone has to look in the mirror, look at their own performance and if they really gave everything. Do they really want to win the league?
"We are fighting, there are games after tonight, but play like we did overall in the game like today... not winning challenges and giving the ref an opportunity to give a free kicks like he did many times, then you have no chance to win a title.
"It's a tough one and we need to do much better against a side that's (fighting) relegation. We had clear-cut chances in the first half that we should have scored but we weren't good enough and it starts with the fight. We can't let the season go out like this."
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Liverpool hurt by lack of continuity
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Liverpool have now lost two of their last three Premier League games, as many defeats as in their previous 42 matches in the PL combined (W28 D12).
They haven't been helped by constantly having to change their line-up. Jurgen Klopp has made 99 changes to their starting XI’s in the PL this season, second most in the league.
What a time for Everton's offence to wake up
Everton have scored two goals in two straight games after doing so just once in their preceding 19 games in all competitions.
They have won three of their last four Premier League games, having failed to win any of their previous 13 league matches before this run (D6 L7).
Everton dominated set pieces all night
Everton were absolutely dominant in the air on set pieces tonight.
Both of their goals came from set-piece situations, a free kick and a corner, taking their overall tally of such goals to 17 in the Premier League this season (excluding penalties). That ranks as second most in the league, behind only Arsenal.
Two months ago, The Athletic's Ahmed Walid broke down how Everton have mastered the back-post corner, which we saw on display countless times tonight. Follow the link below to check out his piece.
GO FURTHER
How Sean Dyche’s teams master the back-post corner
Instant reaction to Everton's historic win
The Athletic's Patrick Boyland and Andy Jones have broken down what this result means, from assessing the damage to Liverpool's title chances, to asking whether this was Everton's most important night of the season, to analysing whether Liverpool's front three were to blame.
Follow the link below to check out their breakdown!
GO FURTHER
Everton 2 Liverpool 0: Klopp’s first-ever Goodison defeat all but ends title dream – The Briefing
Calvert-Lewin: 'Extra special' to score in the derby
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Scorer of Everton's second goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin also spoke to Sky Sports after the match: "Pressure is a privilege and it's my responsibility to carry that. It's nice when you work hard and get the reward with a goal. It's extra special in a local derby. I know what it means to the fans and myself. It's a great result, we needed three points. Everything came together tonight.
"The atmosphere was extra special. Electric. It hasn't been like that for a while. To do that on a night like that is a great experience and memory. We'll kick on now."
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Pickford on his first home derby win
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Jordan Pickford spoke to Sky Sports after Everton's win: "It's my first experience winning that derby at home. Great atmosphere, great application from the lads. A deserving and massive win. Hard work pays off.
"You have to put the hard yards in. Dom (Calvert-Lewin) is grafting up there by himself and he gets the rewards with a goal. A clean sheet, a great team effort."
Flashback to the last time Everton beat Liverpool at Goodison
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A look back at the starting line-ups the last time Everton beat Liverpool at home, on October 17, 2010.
Everton XI: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Heitinga, Cahill, Arteta, Osman, Yakubu
Liverpool XI: Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Rodriguez, Leiva, Gerrard, Meireles, Cole, Torres
Liverpool's potential quadruple lies in tatters
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When Liverpool won the Carabao Cup in February, Trent Alexander-Arnold posted a Tweet saying "1/4. Hungry for more.."
At that time, a potential quadruple of trophies looked possible. Eliminations from the FA Cup and the Europa League followed, and now the Premier League title looks out of reach as well.
1/4 may be the final tally.
Everton are surely safe now
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Everton are now eight points clear of safety with four games to go. They would need to be passed by two of the teams below them to be relegated.
*Everton were deducted six points following a breach of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs). A separate two-point deduction for a separate PSR breach is currently under appeal.
*Nottingham Forest were deducted four points following a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. That decision is currently under appeal.
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Liverpool's title challenge is over
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Liverpool's title challenge is over as they lose at Goodison for the first time in nearly 14 years.
They were masters of their own downfall as the Blues deservedly triumphed through goals from Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin.
Klopp's men were so wasteful at one end, so vulnerable at the other.