Liverpool has not escaped instability when coach Klopp’s army fluctuates in the sprint phase. The Kop’s 0-2 defeat at Everton Stadium in round 29 of the Premier League left them almost out of the championship race.
After two consecutive rounds without a win, the hard times seemed to be over for Liverpool when Klopp’s team won 3-1 against Fulham last weekend in round 33 of the Premier League. However, that was not the case, Klopp’s team unexpectedly lost 0-2 at Everton in round 29 of the Premier League.
Calvert-Lewin celebrates after scoring against Liverpool (Photo: AP).
Liverpool’s attack has been ineffective in recent rounds. That was repeated at Everton Stadium, the “arch-rival” on Merseyside. That is the reason for the failure of Kopp teachers and students.
In every important statistical index, Liverpool is superior to the home team. The Kop controlled the ball 77% of the time, launched 23 shots, with 23% of possession, Everton had 16 shots. Liverpool’s expected goals index reached 1.91, while Everton’s was only 0.91. However, Everton scored 2 goals and Liverpool did not. That reflects that the home team knows how to take advantage of scoring opportunities, while the away team’s players constantly squander it and have to pay the price.
Salah and Nunez’s disappointment after receiving defeat at Goodison Park (Photo: AP).
Everton started strongly at home against their city rivals. Although Everton controlled the ball less than Liverpool, it was not difficult for Everton to reach Alisson’s goal when the away team’s defense system was quite poor at blocking.
After tit-for-tat opportunities in the first half of the first half, the turning point of the match came in the 27th minute. Branthwaite shot in the center of the penalty area, Alisson touched the ball, but could not prevent the goal. Everton took a 1-0 lead, a result that deservedly reflected what happened from the beginning of the match.
After conceding, Liverpool still had no improvement in their playing style, especially their attack organization. Opportunities kept passing through the shoes of the away team’s players. The most significant was the situation where Nunez escaped to face Pickford in the 35th minute. He had a wide shot angle but the Uruguayan player could not beat the English goalkeeper.
Entering the second half, Everton retreated deep to organize their defense. Although the home team’s opportunities were few, they were still of much higher quality than the away team’s. In the 57th minute, Everton dealt another strong blow to the opponent when Calvert-Lewin headed from a corner kick into the net, increasing the score to 2-0.
Calvert-Lewin scores a goal (Photo: AP).
Two goals conceded left Liverpool stunned. Klopp’s team increased the pressure to attack and shoot in search of a goal, but lack of confidence caused the away team’s strikers to lose accuracy. Liverpool’s most significant opportunity in the rest of the second half came in the 69th minute. Diaz shot from the left inside the penalty area. Pickford stood and watched, but the ball hit the left post and flew out.
This is Liverpool’s second defeat in the last three matches in the Premier League and the fourth defeat since the beginning of the season. Liverpool is still ranked 2nd after 34 rounds, 3 points behind top team Arsenal, 1 point ahead of the team behind Man City , but the defending champion still has 2 matches left to play.
