Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk questioned his side’s desire to win the Premier League after a damaging defeat against Merseyside rivals Everton.
With only four games remaining, Liverpool must now rely on slip-ups from leaders Arsenal, who maintain a three-point advantage, as well as from reigning champions Manchester City.
The defeat at Goodison Park marked Liverpool’s second loss in three games, casting a shadow over their season as it approaches its conclusion.
“Do they really want to win the league?” asked Van Dijk.
Defender Jarrad Branthwaite and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin each found the net, once in each half, propelling the Toffees to their inaugural home league triumph over Liverpool since October 2010.
This victory followed a recent setback, a 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace just ten days prior, thwarting their chance to draw level on points with the Gunners.
A scathing Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “If you play like this overall in the game and not win any challenges and give the referee an opportunity to give a free-kick away then we have no chance to win the title.
“Very disappointed in so many ways. Everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance and think if they gave everything.
“It is a tough one and obviously we have to do better against a side near the relegation [positions] it is time to focus.
“If you play like today we have no chance to consider ourselves in the title race.”
Klopp apologises for loss
Liverpool had set their aspirations on clinching four trophies in what could be Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge. However, their hopes now seem to dwindle, with only the Carabao Cup remaining as a potential triumph, following recent exits from the FA Cup against Manchester United and the Europa League against Atalanta.
In their upcoming fixtures, the Reds will face West Ham in an early kick-off on Saturday, followed by encounters against Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Wolves in their final three games.
Despite holding a comfortable position in the league standings, Klopp cautioned that securing a Champions League spot is not yet assured for his side. Despite Tottenham trailing by 14 points in fifth place, with two games in hand, Klopp emphasized the need for continued focus and determination.
“It was not the most inspired performance of all time and I really feel for the people, I am really sorry for that,” said German boss Klopp.
“People told me so often about the derby record and I really apologise for that. It has happened and we cannot change it anymore.”
Asked where it leaves his side in the title race, Klopp replied: “I understand that is part of the business, I don’t know why I have to answer because you can read the table.
“Shall I say we are still fully in on it? We need a crisis at Manchester City and Arsenal and we need to win all our football games. If they lose all their games and we do what we did tonight then nothing changes. We should just play better football.
“We have to fight through these periods. People ask me about mentality and it is not a question of attitude, nobody is doing anything like this on purpose and it is my job to bring them into a situation where they feel confident.
“That is the most tricky part of football. It didn’t work out and now we have to keep trying.”