London: Twelve months ago Liverpool were ripping up the record books on the way to their first English top-flight title for 30 years but defeat by Everton on Saturday left them mulling a host of far less flattering statistics. Their 2-0 defeat at Anfield was their first loss at home to city rivals Everton since 1999 and was a fourth home league defeat in succession — something they have not experienced since 1924.
Manager Juergen Klopp’s hopes of retaining their Premier League crown were already effectively over after a spectacular drop in form since defeat by Burnley ended a 68-match run without a home league loss. But Everton’s win — courtesy of a third-minute goal by Richarlison and a controversial penalty scored by Gylfi Sigurdsson — means Liverpool are now in a scrap to even finish the season in the top four.
Richarlison is only the third @Everton player to score in back-to-back #PL appearances at Anfield, after Tim Cahill in March 2006 and Kevin Campbell in October 2000#LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/NgK3089qS6
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 21, 2021
Everton’s first win of any description over Liverpool since 2010 — after a run of 23 games without a victory — lifted Carlo Ancelotti’s seventh-placed side level with the champions on 40 points although they have played a game less.
Liverpool remained in sixth spot but are three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who drew 1-1 at Southampton.
Chelsea trailed to a goal by Takumi Minamino but Mason Mount levelled with a penalty after the break.
West Ham United, who are fifth with 42 points, host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Fulham close the gap to three points on Newcastle pic.twitter.com/hPg1gNqXvh
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 20, 2021
Fulham’s hopes of avoiding relegation were given a huge boost as Ademola Lookman’s 61st-minute goal earned them a 1-0 win over bottom club Sheffield United to move Scott Parker’s side to within three points of 17th-placed Newcastle United.
West Bromwich Albion appear set to join Sheffield through the relegation trapdoor as they could only draw 0-0 at Burnley, leaving them 11 points from the safety zone.
West Brom played with 10 men for an hour after Semi Ajayi was sent off but they still had the best chances to win the game.
CHRONIC INJURY JINX
Few could imagine Liverpool’s fall from grace after their title-winning season featured a plethora of English top-flight records such as 24 successive home league wins and the best-ever start to a season in Europe’s five top leagues — 26 wins and a draw from their first 27 games.
On Saturday, they became the first reigning champions to lose four successive home league games since Everton in 1928-29 as their chronic injury jinx struck again with skipper Jordan Henderson forced off early on.
“We stand here having lost 2-0. I know how important it is. We feel it deep inside,” Klopp said. “But from tomorrow on I have to use all the good stuff.”
Apart from a Champions League win over RB Leipzig in midweek there is precious little good stuff for Klopp to use.
His side created plenty of chances against Everton but the cloak of invincibility they wore last season has disappeared.
They have lost five of their eight Premier League matches in 2021, as many as they lost in 72 games in 2019 and 2020.
Everton keeper Jordan Pickford made several world-class saves and Liverpool dominated for long periods after the break, but their luck appears to have run out — illustrated by the penalty that sealed the game.
Keeper Alisson made a great save from Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the Everton forward went down as he tried to leap over the grounded Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident briefly on the pitchside monitor and confirmed his decision with substitute Sigurdsson sealing Liverpool’s fate.
While it was despair for Liverpool, Everton can now dream of not only finishing above their rivals but also securing a place in the Champions League, although there is a long way to go.
“I am very pleased for the club and the supporters. I hope for sure that they are going to celebrate tonight,” Ancelotti said. “It was a good performance. A lot of fight and spirit.”
