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JAMIE CARRAGHER claims Liverpool’s title dream has been punch sunk by an “unacceptable” loss at Everton in an English Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday night.
The Anfield legend reckons the Reds must take the “end” of their glory bid “on the chin” following a dire derby display at Goodison Park.
And he blasted boss Jurgen Klopp’s tactics, as well as claiming Liverpool ran out of ideas with more than 30 minutes left at 2-0 down.
Defeat via Jarrad Branthwaite header left Liverpool three points off Premier League leaders Arsenal.
It also means the Reds are just a point clear of third-placed Manchester City, who have two games in hand.
Carragher told Sky Sports: “This is the end of the title run for Liverpool. It almost feels like the end. Tonight is Everton’s night, you have to take it on the chin.”
The ex-England defender added: “They played into Everton’s hands. The way Liverpool started was really naive, poor, giving silly fouls away. They got into the game but the chance (Darwin) Nunez before half time is unforgivable at this level. That’s not acceptable at this level.”
Yet the pundit believes the Reds should have turned the game around after the break — before Calvert-Lewin killed them off on 58 minutes.
Carra said: “I thought Liverpool were in control at the start of the second half. And if they got one, they would go on and get two.
Then Mo Salah gave the ball away. He has looked a shadow of himself for a lot of this season but especially since he’s come back from injury. He is Liverpool’s legend, superstar, one of the all time greats. But he has been so far off it. And as soon as it went 2-0 Liverpool ran out of ideas.”
Reds’ skipper Virgil van Dijk was almost as brutal with his verdict. The Dutch centre-back, 32, said: “(We’re) Disappointed in so many ways. I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance and ask if they really gave everything? Do they really want to win the league? Obviously we’re fighting and we still have games after tonight. But if we play like we did overall today, not winning challenges and giving the ref the opportunity to give a free-kick like he did many, many times, then we have no chance to win the title. It’s a tough one and obviously we had to play much better against a side who are fighting relegation.” (Source: www.thesun.co.uk)
Online Reporter