Liverpool, Everton | Van Dijk creates reactions: – Surprised by how naive he is

EVERTON – LIVERPOOL 2-0:

Liverpool needed to respond to Arsenal’s win on Tuesday night to avoid dropping out of the title race, but Jürgen Klopp’s men found it tough in the German’s final Merseyside derby.

Everton delivered a brilliant game at home at Goodison Park, and when Liverpool failed to capitalize on their chances, it ended in defeat on Wednesday night.

This means that Liverpool are now three points behind league leaders Arsenal with the same number of games played. Manchester City are one point behind Liverpool again, but they have two games less played.

Van Dijk will hear it

Everton delivered a disciplined and efficient performance at home, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in particular struggled to get Liverpool going. That was also pointed out by Sky Sports expert Gary Neville.

– They cannot handle Calvert-Lewin. He crushes Liverpool’s centre-backs, he said.

The Manchester United legend was particularly critical of stopper Virgil van Dijk and how he appeared in Wednesday’s match.

– Van Dijk is complaining again, and I am surprised at how naive he is. The fact that he’s complaining means they’ve gotten into his head, Neville said.

Viaplay’s Jan Åge Fjørtoft also reacted to how much van Dijk struggled against Everton, especially in the duel.

– I think I have never seen van Dijk, if we add Konaté, so Christmas – especially in the air as they were today. It was duel after duel that they lost. Duels that you almost never see van Dijk lose, he said in Viaplay’s studio.

The Dutchman himself was very disappointed after the defeat against the city rivals.

– Very disappointed in so many ways. I think everyone needs to look in the mirror, look at their own performance and if they really gave it their all. Do they really want to win the league?, says van Dijk to Sky Sports.

Nunez slaughter after missed opportunity

It was a dramatic start to the game, because already after five minutes Everton thought they had been awarded a penalty. However, there was no penalty, because it turned out after a VAR check that Calvert-Lewin was offside before he was brought down by Allison.

– It is “spot on” and a correct decision, said the BBC’s expert Clinton Morrison about the decision.

The fast-paced start to the match continued, and both teams eventually had good chances. First Liverpool with Mohamed Salah, while Ben Godfrey and Calvert-Lewin were dangerous up front for Everton.

And it was also the home team who took the lead. Liverpool nailed it with the clearances in their own box, and the ball finally ended up with Branthwaite, who shot via Allison and into the goal.

After a VAR check, the home crowd could really let loose their cheers.

Everton’s lead meant Liverpool had to attack and it didn’t take long for them to create several big chances. First at Darwin Núñez, who abused a huge chance after being beautifully played forward.

– He has to score. He had the whole net to aim at. He just smashed it straight at the keeper – absolutely incredible, said Gary Neville on Sky Sports’ broadcast.

The Uruguayan has received severe criticism several times this season for wasting big chances like this one. Mini Jakobsen chose to comment on Nunez’s wasted chance with a sour message on X.

Calvert-Lewin scoring

A little later, Pickford averted another great Liverpool chance when Diaz got the chance from seven metres.

In overtime of the first half, there was a hail of good opportunities for the visitors, but the ball did not go in the goal. Thus, the teams went to the break with a 1-0 lead to Everton.

Liverpool continued to press in the second half, but instead of equalizing, the home team increased their lead.

A corner was swung precisely towards the back of the field where Calvert-Lewin had run free. Tarkowski blocked the Liverpool players around the striker, and thus he was able to direct the ball straight into the goal.

Liverpool did not give up, however, and in the 70th minute Luis Diaz smashed the ball into the post. Klopp’s men continued to try to find a way to a reduction, but Everton had good control over Liverpool, and thus it ended with a 2-0 victory for the home team.