Liverpool's title hopes go up in smoke after yet another shocking meltdown

"You lost the league at Goodison Park." The deafening echoes of Everton's crowd reverberated through the night, their taunting words ringing in the air. It was a moment of undeniable schadenfreude and sheer joy. After enduring a painfully long 14-year wait, Everton had finally emerged victorious in a Merseyside derby on home turf. The taste of this rare triumph was all the sweeter, as it not only secured their stay in the English top flight but also shattered their bitter rival's hopes of claiming the title.

Liverpool's dreams of a glorious quadruple had crumbled in a matter of weeks. Elimination from both the FA Cup and the Europa League left them with only the Premier League as their remaining chance to add to their League Cup triumph against Chelsea in February. However, following this devastating 2-0 defeat, their aspirations of lifting the domestic trophy had all but vanished into the distance.

Everton simply showed an insatiable hunger for victory, leaving no doubt that they wanted it more. Their ferocity, audacity and quality on display were a stark reminder of what has been missing all too often in their performances this season. This damning assessment falls squarely on Liverpool's shoulders, as they arrived at the match with the need to respond after league leaders Arsenal's emphatic triumph over Chelsea on Tuesday.

Liverpool never managed to recover from a challenging opening period where they were outplayed and overpowered by Everton. Jarrad Branthwaite's well-deserved close-range finish was a testament to the hosts' dominance. Everton relied on the superb goalkeeping of England's Jordan Pickford to maintain their lead, as he made crucial saves from Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.  

Liverpool's recent struggles persisted as they once again found themselves creating scoring opportunities without the clinical finishes required. The midfield trio of Liverpool appeared disjointed, unable to withstand the relentless battle they had stepped into. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, after enduring just over an hour of Everton's searing play, were forced to retreat with little to show for their endeavors.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, having recovered from a slight injury, embraced the role of an indefatigable striker, relentlessly chasing down Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. His efforts paid off when he found himself in the right place at the right time, capitalizing on a gap left by Trent Alexander-Arnold. With a soaring header from Dwight McNeil's corner at the far post, Calvert-Lewin sealed the three points for Everton.

Admittedly or not, this season has been an exhausting one for Liverpool as they pursued success in four competitions while dealing with the uncertainty surrounding Jurgen Klopp's impending departure. Klopp's tenure at Anfield has been defined by his ability to inspire his players, instilling them with his own energy and unwavering positivity from the sidelines. However, when he announced his decision to step down in January, citing fatigue as a major factor, it became clear that the grueling demands of the season had taken their toll.

Now, that weariness is palpable in the performances of the players themselves. Over the past seven games, Liverpool have dropped 10 points, a sharp contrast to the mere seven points dropped in their previous 14 matches.  

With just four games left to play and Arsenal holding a three-point advantage along with a vastly superior goal difference, Klopp is acutely aware that their title hopes are virtually extinguished. The reality of a prolonged and somber farewell now looms before him, as he must come to terms with the fact that their once-promising aspirations have slipped through their grasp.