Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp APOLOGISES after Everton defeat and admits only ‘a crisis’ at Man City and Arsenal can save their title hopes… as captain Virgil van Dijk questions if his team-mates ‘gave everything’

Jurgen Klopp apologized for Liverpool’s abysmal performance in their first Merseyside Derby defeat at Goodison Park since 2010, with captain Virgil van Dijk saying Reds players need to ‘take a look in the mirror’.

Everton were deserved winners in a complete performance after goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave them an important step towards safety while putting a dagger in Liverpool’s title hopes.

And Klopp says he feels sorry for the Reds fans as it appears his era will not end with a fairytale ending. “I really feel for the people,” he said. ‘We have never lost here (under Klopp) and it feels very different. My apologies for that.’

Asked if the title race is over, Klopp said: ‘We need a crisis at Manchester City and Arsenal and we need to win football matches.

‘We are also not safe (to qualify for) the Champions League, so we just have to play better football. You can see that we are in a hurry for the goal.’

Liverpool missed the chance to draw level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League

Van Dijk added: ‘Very disappointed in so many ways and everyone needs to look in the mirror and look at their own performances. (They should) ask if they really gave it their all and do they really want to win the competition?

‘And honestly we are fighting and we still have games after tonight, but I think if we play like we played today, don’t win challenges and give the referee the chance to give a free kick, like we did so many times, then we no longer have a chance. chance to win the title.’

Club legend Jamie Carragher also slammed the Reds’ performance, saying: ‘It’s not acceptable, especially if Liverpool are going for the title.’

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Wayne Rooney added: ‘We’re hearing again about the 12.30 kick-off (nagging about Saturday’s games at West Ham).

“Those Liverpool players should want to go tomorrow because when you lose a derby match you want the games to come quickly.

‘Keep going, it’s part of your job.’

Everton boss Sean Dyche, meanwhile, was delighted with his team’s performance, one of the best of his time at Goodison Park.

“I’m really happy for the Evertonians and the old-school Toffees who are supporting us,” he said. ‘Thank you to the fans, they were great tonight and on Sunday.

Jarrad Branthwaite gave Everton a well-deserved lead in the Merseyside derby

Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled the lead for the home side in the 58th minute

“I asked them to give their lot and we will try to give it back.

‘When I got here, the negativity around the whole club and the situation… I had talked about changing the narrative, just as we change it, points are deducted!

‘It is not a done deal, there is still an endless amount of work to be done. But the last two games have been a very strong reaction (after a 6-0 defeat at Chelsea).

‘This is for the people, ten days ago people told me I don’t know what I’m doing, now I do! It’s for the club and the fans.’