After having to change his lineup every few days, Jürgen Klopp must be exhausted. For the Merseyside derby loss to Everton, six changes were made after Sunday’s half-dozen for the win over Fulham. Unfortunately, it failed this time.
With so much at stake, coaches must balance the final weeks of the season. Maintaining a rhythm and tempo while keeping everyone fresh for critical matches is difficult. A manager cannot control when a starting withdraws hours before the match, but football riches cannot predict when a mother-to-be gives birth.
Sean Dyche recognized tiredness among Liverpool players, with Darwin Núñez making his 50th appearance of the season, Europa League travel, and international breaks in South America.
Everton’s most-used player, James Tarkowski, has played 41 times without bothering Gareth Southgate.
Now that Dyche has swapped his suit for a tracksuit manager, it makes sense that his team has worked more and been more active under their personal trainer rather than a bouncer.
To exploit Liverpool’s physical and mental fatigue was the order.
Everton’s early pressure let the reds know the game wouldn’t be fun despite the 14-place and 38-point gap in the standings.
Dyche intended to make Liverpool’s tired children unhappy and angry, as Cody Gakpo would learn.
After returning from Sunday’s injury, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the irritating striker, pursuing Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk to ensure contact with each press. Though not fouls, they got more annoying as they were repeated, like flea bites.
Everton bought free kicks from the midway line onward. Jarrad Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin scored from Dwight McNeil set pieces as Liverpool struggled to handle Everton’s height and power in the area.
Liverpool was upset that Andrew Madley obeyed everytime a blue shirt was touched, explaining Van Dijk’s yellow card. A combination of circumstances caused the Dutchman to yell at the referee.
Everton hindered Liverpool’s strategy. Even though their heads were tired and blue shirts swarmed around them, the shock tactics of numerous free-kicks into the box and the multi-ball system kept Liverpool from switching off distracted the visitors.
Liverpool’s midfield trio struggled to handle the duel. After an hour of Everton savagery, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai left with few war wounds. When Abdoulaye Doucouré drove through the middle, he easily dismissed everyone.
Liverpool enjoyed 76% possession but faced nine blue shirts (Calvert-Lewin did not retreat) and struggled to get through.
As Liverpool moved up the pitch more directly, few had the stamina to attack in the dying stages. Sharp passing, crucial this season, was lost due to exhausted thoughts and legs.
Liverpool have had many chances in recent weeks but failed to finish. Núñez and Luis Díaz were stopped by Jordan Pickford in the first half, while the Colombian hit the post in the second.
Tiredness can affect scoring’s fine lines. The ailments of Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah have increased pressure on Núñez and Díaz, limiting Klopp’s rotation in the front three.
Klopp had Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez with Everton two goals ahead and less than 10 minutes left without a forward on the bench. Two good players, yet the manager had no choice but to use an attacker.
This season has been difficult for Liverpool as they try to win four competitions and deal with Klopp’s summer departure.
Everton fans sang, “You lost the league at Goodison Park,” but tiredness is building and hard to overcome. Liverpool will not feel bad if they don’t fight for the title. Laborious nine months take their toll.
