Liverpool's title hopes wither in rare Merseyside derby defeat
Liverpool's Premier League title bid was left in tatters after being bullied and beaten by a better side as Everton won a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park for the first time in almost 14 years.
In doing so Sean Dyche's side, 2-0 victors courtesy of goals in either half from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, virtually assured their own top-flight future after moving eight points clear of 18th-placed Luton with four matches to go.
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Jurgen Klopp's much-celebrated 'last dance' is turning into an undignified stagger towards the exit as his first defeat across Stanley Park after two wins and five draws previously came less than a week after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta.
The club have moved on his successor - Feyenoord's Arne Slot - by opening negotiations with the Eredivisie club but this would not have made for a happy watch from his Netherlands home.
Fanciful talk of an unprecedented quadruple barely a month ago now seems like total folly as Liverpool are collapsing in on themselves, leaving Arsenal - three points ahead with a superior goal difference - and Manchester City - a point behind with two matches in hand - to fight it out for top spot.
In March 2019 Everton fans laid claim to ruining Liverpool's title chances after a goalless draw here as Klopp's side finished second to City by a point.
They will take even greater delight in ruining Klopp's farewell.
A third successive home league win for the first time since September 2021 means Everton can breathe easier at the other end of the table and bask in the warmth of a derby well won - only their second in the last 30 encounters in total.
They set about dominating the visitors physically and centre-back Ibrahima Konate,