Saturday 20th February 2021
"Don't pity yourself"
Klopp's bankruptcy series is now historic
Liverpool FC is only tumbling through the Premier League: The derby bankruptcy against Everton FC is the fourth home defeat in a row – the last time it was almost 100 years ago. Champions League qualification is in grave danger. Things are going better for Thomas Tuchel.
English football champions Liverpool FC have suffered their fourth defeat in a row in the Premier League. In the local derby against FC Everton, coach Jürgen Klopp's troubled team lost 2-0 (0-1). It was also the Reds' fourth home defeat in a row – the last time it happened almost 100 years ago in December 1923 – and the first win for Everton at Anfield in over 20 years.
After a few minutes, Everton took the lead through Richarlison (3rd minute). The former Hoffenheim Gylfi Sigurdsson (83.) made a penalty for the final score after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was fouled by Trent Alexander-Arnold. The narrow decision on the penalty kick was confirmed by the video referee.
Liverpool slipped further into the crisis. The champions, who won 2-0 against RB Leipzig in the Champions League during the week, revealed similar problems as in previous league games. Although the Klopp-Elf controlled the ball, it was too rarely dangerous and repeatedly showed weaknesses in defense. Liverpool are sixth with 40 points, followed directly by rival Everton on points.
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum admitted to Sky Sports: "You know what the derby means for the club, the fans and the players – it means a lot and losing is particularly painful." The Dutchman didn't want to cite the bad luck with injuries that runs like a red thread through the entire season of the defending champions as an excuse for losing streak: "We have to deal with the situation and not feel sorry for ourselves. We have to accelerate until the end of the season give, it's painful and you could see it on the players' faces. This is the situation we are in right now and we have to deal with it. "
Tuchel's series lasts
On the other hand, coach Thomas Tuchel remained undefeated with Chelsea. However, his blues with the German national players Timo Werner and Antonio Rüdiger in the starting eleven did not get beyond a 1: 1 (0: 1) at FC Southampton. Three days before the first leg of the first leg in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, which will be played in Bucharest, Mason Mount (54th) gave the Tuchel-Elf a point with a penalty in Southampton. Kai Havertz was not in the squad due to injury.
The hosts had previously taken the lead at St. Mary's Stadium through a goal from Liverpool loaner Takumi Minamino (33rd). The team of former Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhüttl could have taken the lead again in the second half, but Jannik Vestergaard headed the ball in the 74th minute to the crossbar. In the Premier League table, Chelsea initially stayed in fourth place.
Liverpool missed the chance to overtake the Blues with a clear win against Everton or at least to draw level with their rivals for a Champions League place on points. Everton are now level on points with Liverpool. Chelsea could be overtaken by West Ham United on Sunday with a home win against Tottenham Hotspur.
. (tagsToTranslate) Not (t) Klopps (t) bankruptcy series