Jurgen Klopp apologizes after Liverpool’s shocking loss to Everton: ‘We should have done better’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has apologized for his team’s performance and said he does not know whether the Reds are still in the hunt for the Premier League title after Wednesday’s match. 2-0 defeat to Evertonputting them three points behind leaders Arsenal.

The Reds dominated the match but failed to capitalize on their chances, but they were not strong enough defensively to keep Everton at bay as the Toffees secured a big win in their battle to avoid relegation. Liverpool now have a 13.2% chance of winning the title, per Optawhile Manchester City lead the race with 56% with two games to go.

“I don’t know,” he told broadcasters after the match about Liverpool’s title chances. “I can only apologize for today, to the people, to everyone who is with us. I also know how difficult this is for us, but it is especially difficult for the people. We should have done better. We have not done.”

Klopp admitted Liverpool played right into Everton’s hands as Sean Dyche’s side thrive on a lack of possession and take advantage of set pieces. The outgoing Reds manager said the Toffees’ play on set pieces was disruptive, but also admitted his team did not go the extra mile when it came to defending or taking advantage of their 21 shots. He specifically pointed to the second half when Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it 2-0 for the hosts.

“Second half [was] emotional, we were in a hurry, we weren’t really clear and then we gave in in the second half with a routine they do all season. We knew exactly that the ball would end up there, we just didn’t defend it,” Klopp said. ‘They got free kick after free kick. We had the ball, they deserved the free kick. It’s an important start to the story.”

The manager was reluctant to say his team had run out of gas after a busy season in the Premier League, two domestic cup competitions and a run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. However, he did little to defend the performance.

“We tried, but in the end it’s not good enough,” he said. “There’s nothing we can explain and if you win you have 500 reasons and if you lose it’s just not good enough.”

He also said the team plans to end the season – and its impressive tenure – on a high note with only four games remaining on the schedule.

“It’s not the best moment we’re in and we still have football games to play so we have to try to get through it,” he admitted. “We have to use these moments to build up, to get the momentum back.”