Sports Desk, Apr 25 (EFE).- Liverpool suffered a 2-0 defeat away at Everton to all but end their title chance in the English Premier League, while Bruno Fernandes scored twice and assisted one to save Manchester United in a 4-2 win over virtually relegated Sheffield United on Wednesday.
With only four matches left in the campaign, the Reds will now need to produce a miracle if they are to deny Arsenal or Manchester City the league title.
Arsenal lead Jurgen Klopp’s side by three points with 77, and though City are still a point behind Liverpool, they have two matches in hand.
Klopp, who previously lost just once in 18 of his Merseyside derbies, seems to have resigned to his fate and apologized to the fans.
“I really feel for the people, I’m really sorry for that obviously,” said the German coach.
“People told me so often about my great record [in derbies], before the derby especially you hear, ‘But you never win here’.
“But we never lost and that feels really different. I really apologize for that, it was unnecessary but it happened. We cannot change it anymore.”
He has previously achieved success against Everton in difficult circumstances, such as without an audience, during the pandemic, and with Carlo Ancelotti on the bench.
But the circumstances in the match were different, as they were in the title race against two very good rivals and could not afford any slips.
It appeared initially that luck was with them as Alisson Becker brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin to concede a penalty, but VAR found a player off-side during the build-up and ruled out the decision.
Everton refused to give up and produced an opener in 27 minutes as Jarrad Branthwaite struck from a goal-mouth melee.
Calvert-Lewin headed in the second to ensure Klopp’s final Merseyside derby ended in a loss.
For Everton, the victory was not only important because it upset their neighbors, but also because it took them eight points away from the relegation zone.
In Old Trafford, Manchester United fell behind against Sheffield United not just once but twice to stare at an embarrassing defeat against a side that has remained at the bottom from the beginning of the season.
Jayden Bogle put the visitors ahead before Harry Maguire headed in an Alejandro Garnacho cross to level the contest.
A powerful close-range finish from Ben Brereton Diaz gave Sheffield the lead again before Fernandes took charge of the contest.
He leveled the game from a penalty and scored his second in the 81st minute to finally take United ahead.
The Portuguese midfielder then provided Rasmus Hojlund with United’s fourth goal to ensure they left the field with maximum points after four matches. EFE
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