The Reds were once again guilty of shocking wastefulness and dire defending as the slumped to a dismal loss at Goodison Park
Liverpool's Premier League title hopes have been left in tatters after an embarrassing 2-0 loss at Everton on Wednesday, with the Reds once again paying a heavy price for horrific finishing and even worse defending.
Jurgen Klopp's side could have drawn level with Arsenal at the top of the table with a win, but they fell behind in farcical circumstances in the first half, with players taking it into turns to fail to clear the ball before Jarrad Branthwaite managed to sneak a shot under Alisson's body.
Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz then wasted one great chance after another to level the game before Dominic Calvert-Lewin rose unmarked at the back post in the 58th minute to head home a Dwight McNeil corner and seal a first win for Everton over their city rivals at Goodison Park since 2010.
GOAL rates all of the Liverpool players on show on Merseyside, as they slumped to a devastating defeat in Klopp's final derby that means his nine-year right is now almost certain to end without a second league title…
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Alisson (5/10):
Obviously let down by his defenders on both goals but was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty for taking out an offside Calvert-Lewin.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (4/10):
Created several great chances with his frankly outrageous passing but was one of those who failed to clear the ball in the build-up to Everton's first goal and was then guilty of a pathetic attempt to stop Calvert-Lewin on the second.
Ibrahima Konate (3/10):
Once again, an accident waiting to happen. His miscued clearance gifted Godfrey a goal and he repeatedly looked ropey in possession. Lucky to make it to the hour mark.
Virgil van Dijk (5/10):
May have been let down by those around him – again – but, as captain, has to take responsibility for Liverpool's total inability to keep clean sheets. His frustration manifested itself in a booking for dissent.
Andy Robertson (5/10):
A good outlet down the left flank but probably should have fired across the box rather than shooting from an acute angle when put in on goal.
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Dominik Szoboszlai (3/10):
A cheap imitation of the player who had such an excellent first half of the season. Indecisive and ineffective.
Alexis Mac Allister (5/10):
The reason why Liverpool took control of the game towards the interval but fatigue has been a major problem for the overworked Argentine in recent weeks.
Curtis Jones (3/10):
Unsurprisingly played with plenty of passion, but unable to make any meaningful impact on the game before being rightly withdrawn after an hour.
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Mohamed Salah (4/10):
Created two chances with clever lay-offs that really should have been put away, but his finishing was horribly wasteful. Just not looked anything like the same player since returning from injury.
Darwin Nunez (3/10):
An absolutely atrocious showing from the Uruguayan, who struggled to control the ball all evening and missed a glorious chance to level the game. Hard now to see how Liverpool can ever rely on him to score goals.
Luis Diaz (6/10):
Kept carrying the fight to Everton with his pace and quick feet but missed one good chance in the first half before striking the woodwork with a sublime effort after the restart.
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Harvey Elliott (5/10):
Came on midway through the second half but unable to turn the game around.
Jarell Quansah (5/10):
Much better than the man he replaced, Konate – but that's not saying much.
Wataru Endo (5/10):
Brought on for Szoboszlai but didn't impress.
Kostas Tsimikas (N/A):
Not on long enough to warrant a score.
Joe Gomez (N/A):
Only came on for the last 10 minutes.
Jurgen Klopp (4/10):
Injuries up front obviously forced him to start Nunez, but the German erred badly by persisting with Konate and Szoboszlai and now his dream of a fairy-tale farewell has been dashed.
