Jurgen Klopp may have inadvertently contributed to Liverpool's slump in form as a result of his leaving announcement.

That is the view of ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor following the Reds' 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

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Klopp will be departing Liverpool at the end of the season following nine years in MerseysideCredit: Getty

The result leaves Liverpool trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by three points with four games to go.

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Meanwhile Manchester City can leapfrog above Klopp's men into second spot should they pick up at least a point at Brighton on Thursday night.

At the time of the German's announcement in January that he would be standing down at Anfield at the end of the season, Liverpool were five points clear.

But they now look set to miss out on a second Premier League title under Klopp, leading Agbonlahor to question whether it is the reason for the club's downfall.

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He said on the talkSPORT Breakfast show: "I remember us talking about it and we said it can go one of two ways.

"You either fight for your manager even more because you want him to leave with him winning the treble/double/quadruple they were in.

"But it's gone the opposite way, players have started to not look at it.

"I think even Trent [Alexander-Arnold] before they played in the Carabao Cup [final], he said, 'We want to win the quadruple, we want to go for four trophies.'

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The Reds sit three points behind leaders Arsenal with four fixtures to playCredit: Getty

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Liverpool's chances of title success appear slim following the 2-0 defeat to EvertonCredit: Getty

"Now the farewell tour of Jurgen Klopp is going to be one trophy and maybe finishing third in the league."

Liverpool appeared to look galvanised following Klopp's announcement - winning the Carabao Cup with a depleted squad against a full-strength Chelsea team.

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And despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal early on after Klopp's shock news, their form was formidable in all competitions.

A hard-fought 1-1 draw with City in March gave fans hope that they could give their beloved boss the fairy tale send off he deserves.

But their season has slowly begun to unravel after they were knocked out of the FA Cup to rivals Manchester United in a seven-goal thriller the week after their 1-1 draw against the Citizens.

Liverpool were on course to advance into the semi-finals, only to concede at the death, before succumbing to an Amad Diallo strike deep in extra-time stoppage time.

Gritty wins against Sheffield United and Brighton followed, before they once again left deflated at Old Trafford after drawing 2-2 against Erik ten Hag's side.

It was a result that tipped the balance in favour of Arsenal and City, and things then took a turn for the worse in the Europa League.

Serie A side Atalanta silenced Anfield with a 3-0 victory, and while Liverpool emerged as 1-0 winners in the quarter-final second leg, it wasn't enough to keep them in Europe's second-tier competition.

Sandwiched between those matches against the Italian outfit was a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

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A nervy win at Fulham followed, before they were outfought at Everton to lose their first derby at Goodison Park since 2010.

And with a tough trip to West Ham next for Liverpool, Klopp's farewell tour could turn into a nightmare ending.


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