Jurgen Klopp issues apology as Liverpool’s title challenge collapses at Everton

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he was shocked by his side’s performance in their 2-0 defeat at Everton, as he offered up an apology to the club’s supporters.

Klopp’s hopes of ending his reign as Liverpool manager on a high next month now appears to be over as their title challenge appears to be over, with the outgoing Liverpool manager conceding his players were not at the level he expected for derby game.

“I can only apologise to everyone who is with us – it’s hard for us but I know for our people it is especially hard. We should’ve done better but we didn’t and that’s why we lost,” said Klopp.

“I’m very disappointed. We let it happen to 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 wasn’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]. 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.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk echoed the sentiments of his manager, as he accepted his side had failed to perform.

“Very disappointed in so many ways,” said Van Dijk on Sky Sports.

“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-kick 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.”

Everton manager Sean Dyche had very different emotions after one of his biggest wins as Toffees boss all-but ensured his side would remain in the Premier League for another season.

“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,” said Dyche.

“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 it over the line and I love that. The second one is a great header. No, I thought he was outstanding tonight.

“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.

“We stayed focussed tonight and I asked if they could stay with us and they did. Sunday was massive and now it was a massively important derby game. For people like Seamus Coleman, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s so happy.

“We should be on 41 points and the story’s different. Three clean sheets in three home games. The challenge for the players is to go and do it again.”

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