Everton hugely damaged Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League and moved eight points clear of the relegation zone with a first top-flight Merseyside derby victory since 2010.
Jarrad Branthwaite profited on chaotic defending to steer in the 27th-minute opener, providing a lead which was doubled when Dominic Calvert-Lewin leapt unmarked to head in the second 13 minutes after the break.
Calvert-Lewin was awarded an early penalty when goalkeeper Alisson clipped the striker, only for a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review to overturn the decision.
Liverpool are three points behind leaders Arsenal with a sizeable goal inferiority and four matches to play.
The race for first is in Manchester City’s hands because the holders, who visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, are four points behind the Gunners with two extra matches to play.
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Everton entered this game without a win against teams outside of the current bottom four in the Premier League in 2024, so this was as sweet for the home fans as it was galling for Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds manager’s first defeat in a derby was a fully deserved one against opposition full of the strength and verve his players lacked.
Everton v Liverpool: Reds ravaged
Luis Diaz went closest for Liverpool, curling a shot against a post after Everton’s second goal, but the visitors had spurned several good chances by then and were showing few signs of realistically scoring twice.
Darwin Nunez had smashed a shot at Jordan Pickford at the goalkeeper’s near post when the forward seemed to have the entire goal to aim at, and Mohamed Salah’s performance was summarised by his wastefulness in possession to afford Everton the move for Calvert-Lewin’s goal.
Jarrad Branthwaite has set Goodison Park on fire! 🔥🔵 pic.twitter.com/d7KvmOcbgr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2024
Liverpool are next in action when they visit West Ham on Saturday, with captain Virgil van Dijk appearing to question the 12:30 BST kick-off time in his post-match interview.
They then play fifth-placed Tottenham and fourth-placed Aston Villa, which could be construed as highly unpromising fixtures, on this form.
Klopp’s final season in charge is now likely to end with only the Carabao Cup to show for it, with Liverpool ousted from the Uefa Europa League in the semi-finals by Atalanta on Thursday.
