One of the most disappointing things about Liverpool’s defeat to Everton was the lack of fight from the players.
As you would expect, Sean Dyche’s side were up for the fight and they wanted to win the bragging rights in the Merseyside derby at any cost.
Liverpool were second best to everything and lost nearly every duel on the pitch, from back to front, before suffering a deserved 2-0 loss at Goodison Park.
During the past few years, the team has gone through a transition period and key players have departed the club.
In some cases, and at the time, you probably would have preferred those players to stay, such as Gini Wijnaldum, whilst others, such as Fabinho moving to Saudi Arabia, it was probably the right time.
Alongside those two legendary figures, Jordan Henderson is also no longer at Anfield and you feel their presence is now being hugely missed.
Not a case of bringing them back, but not replacing them with like-for-like transfers and it was proven in the derby defeat, as well as the performances during the past few months.
Leon Osman touched upon Liverpool’s midfield that started the game – Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones.
The former Toffees star stated that the trio don’t have the physicality to compete in the middle of the park and they were simply ‘out-muscled’ when trying to go ‘toe-to-toe’ with Everton, as he told Premier League Productions (24/04/24 at 10:25 pm).
Playing at Goodison in a derby game, under the lights, against a Dyche team, and against a side that has been near the bottom for the majority of the campaign. You know what you are going to get.
But quite clearly, those in the middle of the pitch just couldn’t cope, as Osman alluded to in his post-match thoughts.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones
“Everton’s strengths were physical and Everton’s strength was their athleticism,” said Osman. “I think Everton ran more than Liverpool.
“When you say out-fought. The 50-50 challenges. Everton probably dominated in those areas. I think Liverpool’s strength is to pass it, move it and get at defences – Liverpool’s midfield now is different from when it was Henderson, Wijnaldum and Fabinho that could compete physically.
“I wouldn’t say, Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai are the type that can really out-muscle people and go physically toe-to-toe with people. It’s a new-look Liverpool midfield. If it came down to winning 50-50 balls. I would expect Everton’s midfield to win that battle all night long. It’s what you make the game into. Everton made the game that suited Everton’s midfield. Liverpool didn’t make it enough about them – and that’s why Everton won the game.”
Liverpool’s Premier League title race
All the team can do now is win their remaining games. Not only do they need Manchester City to drop points, but Arsenal also.
Even the most ardent of supporters will admit that it’s not going to happen and even if the expected happens, with the Premier League title heading elsewhere, these players still have to make sure Klopp leaves on a high.
Amid talk of Arne Slot coming in, you just wonder what he is thinking because that was one of the worst displays of the Klopp era.
But they need to get all of that out of their system and ensure that the manager leaves with wins under his belt because it’s the least that he deserves.
