Liverpool suffered a 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside derby, which could result in the death of the visitors’ fading Premier League title hopes.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored either side of half-time at Goodison Park to sink their long-time rivals, who have just one win in their last four games.
Everton’s first derby victory at Goodison Park in more than 13 years prevented Liverpool from catching Arsenal at the top of the table.
Jürgen Klopp’s men are three points behind the Gunners (77) with four games remaining.
The current champion, Manchester City, remains in command in third place with 73 points, but with two games less.
Everton’s victory lets them breathe easier, eight points above the relegation zone in 16th place.
Branthwaite shook Goodison in the 27th minute when he took advantage of Liverpool’s poor defense and scored from close range after the Reds had failed several attempts to clear the ball.
Calvert-Lewin headed in a corner to double the Toffees’ lead in the 58th minute, and although Liverpool have pulled off some masterful comebacks this season, Everton held firm to give Klopp, who will leave Liverpool in the end of the season, their first defeat at Goodison in their final derby.
“I’m very disappointed in many ways and I think everyone has to look in the mirror and see their own performances. Did they give it their all and do they really want to win the league?” Said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
“Obviously there are still games left after tonight, but if we play like we did tonight, we have no chance of winning the title. It’s a difficult game and obviously we have to do much better against a team that is playing against relegation.”
At Old Trafford, Manchester United were twice forced to come from behind to beat last-placed Sheffield United.
Jayden Bogle put the Blades ahead in the 35th minute when he capitalized on a poor clearance by United goalkeeper André Onana before United captain Harry Maguire headed in from a tight angle to equalize in the 42nd.
Ben Brereton Díaz put Sheffield back in front when he scored in the 50th minute, but everything went sideways from there when American Auston Trusty tangled with Maguire in the area and Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot.
The Portuguese star then gave the Red Devils a 3-2 lead when he scored a brilliant left-footed shot in the 81st, and set up Rasmus Højlund with an elegant cross five minutes from time to put the victory beyond doubt.
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Reuters/ABC