Manager Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool will have to force two title challengers into “very bad moments” if they are to win the Premier League after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
Goals from Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin on either side of half-time secured victory and it was the first time in almost 14 years that the Blues had defeated their arch-rivals at Goodison Park. With four games remaining, they are within eight points of the relegation zone.
Klopp's much-lauded 'last dance' at Liverpool took a turn for the worse after the club were eliminated from the Europa League at the hands of Atalanta, with the team now three points behind leaders Arsenal and third-placed Manchester United. The difference with City was just one point. A person with two games in hand.
“All I can do is apologize.”
It seems that two horses will participate in the title fight, but after the match crop He admitted that the odds were very much against his side.
Asked if Liverpool could still win the title, Klopp said: “Arsenal and Manchester City must be going through a very bad period.”
“I don't know. All I can do today is apologize to the people. I should have done better, but I didn't.”
Read more: Liverpool limps out of title contention as Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah run out of steam
Liverpool players told to 'look in the mirror'
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said all players needed to “look in the mirror” and insisted: “We can't let the season end like this.”
Van Dijk told Sky Sports:
“I think everyone needs to look in the mirror and check their performance and see if they really gave it their all. Do they really want to win the league?
“We are fighting, we have games after tonight, but just play like we did overall in a game like today… an opportunity to not win a challenge and give away a free kick like the referee has done so many times. If you don't give it, you won't have a chance to win the title.
“It's a tough game and we need to do better against these teams.” [fighting] Demotion. He had a clear chance to score in the first half, but he didn't do enough and started fighting. We can't let the season end like this.”