Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp EXCITES after Everton defeat and admits only ‘a crisis’ at Man City and Arsenal can save their title hopes… as captain Virgil van Dijk wonders if his teammates “gave everything”

Jurgen Klopp has apologized for Liverpool’s abject performance in their first Merseyside Derby defeat at Goodison Park since 2010, with captain Virgil van Dijk saying the Reds players needed to “look in the mirror”.

Everton were deserved winners in a complete performance after goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave them an important step towards safety while putting a dagger in Liverpool’s title hopes.

And Klopp says he feels sorry for Reds fans as it looks like his era won’t have a fairytale ending. “I really empathize with people,” he said. “We’ve never lost here (under Klopp) and it’s really different. I really apologize for that.

Asked if the title race was over, Klopp replied: “We need a crisis at Manchester City and Arsenal and we need to win football matches.

“We are also not safe (of qualifying for) the Champions League, so we should just play better football. You see we are pressed in front of goal.

Liverpool missed the chance to draw level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League

Van Dijk added: “Very disappointed in many ways and everyone needs to look in the mirror and look at their own performances. (They should) ask themselves if they really gave it their all and do they really want to win the championship?

“And honestly, we are fighting and still have games after tonight, but I think if we play like the game we did today, not winning any challenges and giving the referee the opportunity to give a free kick as we have done several times, then we have no chance of winning the title.

Club legend Jamie Carragher also blasted the Reds’ performance and said: “This is not acceptable, especially when Liverpool are chasing the title.”

Sky Sports pundit Wayne Rooney added: “Once again we’re hearing about the 12.30 kick-offs (whining about Saturday’s games at West Ham).

“These Liverpool players should want to go tomorrow because when you lose a derby game you want the games to come quickly.

“Keep going, it’s part of your job.

Everton boss Sean Dyche, meanwhile, was delighted with his side’s performance, one of the best of his tenure at Goodison Park.

“I’m delighted for the old-school Evertonians and Toffees who are supporting us,” he said. “Thank you to the fans, they were great tonight and Sunday.

Jarrad Branthwaite gave Everton a much-deserved lead in the Merseyside derby

Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled the lead for the home side in the 58th minute.

“I asked them to give their fate and we will try to return it.

“When I came here, the negativity around the whole club and the situation… I talked about changing the narrative, just as we change it, we lose points!

“It’s not a given, there is an infinite amount of work to do. But the last two games were a real energetic reaction (against the 6-0 defeat at Chelsea).

“It’s for the people, 10 days ago people were telling me I don’t know what I’m doing, now I know!” It’s for the club and the fans.