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Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool suffered a disappointing loss against Everton at Goodison park, with two set-piece goals giving Sean Dyche ‘s side a priceless win.

Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on April 24 was a significant blow to their Premier League title aspirations.

The loss not only meant dropping crucial points in the tight title race but also suffering the indignity of a defeat at the hands of their historic rivals.

This result was particularly disheartening as it occurred during Jurgen Klopp’s final stretch with the team, casting a shadow over what many Liverpool fans hoped would be a triumphant send-off for the revered manager.

Instead of cruising off into the sunset with a Premier League title, the reality is that it will now likely be a slow and disheartening final few games of the Premier League season.

The defeat stings not just for its immediate implications on the league standings but also for the morale and historical significance attached to such derbies.

This defeat marked Liverpool’s first loss at Goodison Park since 2010.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are now trailing three points behind Arsenal in second place with only four games remaining.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are only a point behind the Reds with two games in hand.

Jurgen Klopp admitted that the Premier League is now very unlikely, saying after the game:

“I can’t say now that we are still fully in it [title race]; we need a crisis at Man City and Arsenal and need to win football games because if they start losing all their games and we do what we did tonight nothing changes.”

So, it seems Arne Slot won’t be taking over the Premier League champions, but instead a squad with some problems that need to be iron out.

What did Virgil van Dijk say?

Speaking after the game, the Liverpool skipper was quizzed on the potential of Arne Slot becoming the new manager.

It was a bit of a strange timing considering he and his team had just the Merseyside derby, but he answered all the same.

Van Dijk said to Viaplay Netherlands (via Empire of the Kop):

“I find it difficult to answer now, of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at the moment and I think the way he plays and the philosophy he has means he could be a Liverpool coach.”

“I think what I also read and hear is that it is far from over and we’ll see?

Next year we’ll focus on that.” 

The 32-year-old managed to set aside the sharp disappointment of that outcome, speaking carefully and respectfully about a sensitive topic so soon after the bitter defeat.

The Reds are next in action away to West Ham this Saturday with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 BST.

Read More:

Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool’s display against Everton: “We were not good enough”

Jamie Carragher: This is the end of Liverpool’s title run

Ryan Gravenberch stance clarified after bizarre transfer links

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