Goalless Draw in Merseyside Derby Pulls Livepool Away From The No.1 Place

Liverpool fans are experiencing a deja vu. Several years ago, Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard, and Luis Suarez were leading in what seemed to be a decided championship, but in the end, finished behind Manchester City.

The prospects of seeing the same scenario this season are very high. Less than six weeks ago, Liverpool was seven points away from the Citizens. After today’s Merseyside Derby, the Reds are one point behind the Sky-Blues.

Liverpool couldn’t breach Everton’s defense, and the game ended without goals, 0-0.

“I already know what the pundits will say in the studio – situations like today you have to finish it off,” said Jurgen Klopp after the game.

According to his words, they performed well against an opponent who wasn’t willing to play football, but was instead defending without threatening once during the entire contest.

💬 "You think it's a game, a playstation?! Bring on an extra attacker and the game will change? 🎮

Jurgen Klopp didn't take too kindly to what he labelled a "disappointing question" in his post-match press conference 😡👀

🔴 #EVELFC 🔴

👉 https://t.co/ZBpLqZ866t pic.twitter.com/7gCtlZhIJk

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) March 3, 2019

“We had five or six big chances but Jordan Pickford or a defender was in between. I don’t think they had a real chance. Not perfect but good enough, getting a point from Everton is always a success,” Klopp commented after the game when was asked how did he saw this match.

The German coach is under a massive pressure now, and has been criticized for not targeting the team’s form properly.

Liverpool’s performances significantly dropped in the last month and a half, in the period when they have the most significant matches of the season scheduled. A clash against Everton was the fifth draw over the past seven games they played in all competitions.

But what worries fans the most, is the disappearing of once a lethal attacking trio, Salah-Mane-Firminho, from the stage. For the third time in the past four games,the Reds couldn’t score.

Until the middle of the campaign, these three guys were tearing apart the rivals defenses, posting unreal shows, and setting the standards for the offensive lines all over the world.

Right now, they are nowhere near that level of play.

Liverpool did dominate today, but the rock-solid defense of the Toffees prevented them from finding a way to Pickford’s net. We did need to say that Everton’s manager Marco Silva entered this clash with a defensive-minded lineup and that the priority for the home team was to protect their goal first and to attack later.

“I’m proud of my players and the desire they showed,” Silva said after the game. The Spanish manager was especially impressed with the way Everton’s fans gave support to their players.

“It felt amazing in our stadium. Our fans were amazing and they pushed the team from the first minute.”

The current situation in the standings looks like this. Manchester City is on the top of the Premiership, with 71 points, while Liverpool now sits behind Guardiola’s boys with one point fewer.

City has two tough games until the end of the season. One with Tottenham at home, and the second on the road versus Manchester United. Liverpool faces Tottenham and Chelsea, and they will be played at Anfield.

"We have one point more and that's still positive."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp sees the glass as half full.#EVELIV #Everton #Liverpool #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/vOTGY5PSTb

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) March 3, 2019

For Liverpool’s coach, the current position means nothing and he doesn’t want to speak or comment Manchester City and their results. The German stated that he didn’t do it while they were in front of the title rivals, and that he isn’t going to start now.

“We do not think about City when they are a point behind us, now we are behind them but not too far. They have to win, we have to win and let’s see who wins more at the end,” the 51-year old said to the reporters.

His team plays against Burnley next Saturday, and after that goes to Munich. The Reds and Bayern have to play a rematch of the UCL’s round of 16 stage.

Klopp fought many battles against the Bavarians, and knows how to behave at Allianz Arena, but whether is his team up to the task, is the crucial question.

If they continue to play pale and without any inspiration, their fans will once again, like so many times in recent two decades have to wait for the next season to see some trophies.