Virgil van Dijk insisted Liverpool have "no chance" of winning the Premier League if they put in more performances like the one against Everton at Goodison Park.
Jurgen Klopp's side lost a Merseyside Derby at the home of their rivals for the first time in more than a decade on Wednesday night. Goals in either half from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Sean Dyche's side a valuable three points in their fight against the drop while leaving Liverpool three points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
Reigning champions Manchester City can go five clear of Klopp's team if they win their two games in hand. As for Liverpool themselves, maximum points from the final four games might not be enough.
"Listen, very disappointed in so many ways and I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances and if they really gave everything and do they really want to win the league," Van Dijk told Sky Sports. "We are fighting and still have games after tonight, but if we play like we did overall in the game like today, not winning challenges and giving the ref an opportunity to give free-kicks like he did many times, then we have no chance to win the title."
"It’s a tough one and obviously we have to do much better against a side who is [fighting] against relegation," he continued. "It's time to focus on the 12:30 kick-off again.
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"These games are always a big fight and something that we shouldn't have lost in my opinion, But. we did now we have to pick ourselves up and be ready for an early kick-off Saturday."
When asked directly about the title charge, the Dutchman doubled down. "If we play like today then we have no chance to consider ourselves in the title race," he added. "We have to just focus on the next game, and that will be a tough one as well, and then we will see."
Are Liverpool out of the title race? Have your say in the comments section
Liverpool were unable to find a way through against Everton (Offside via Getty Images)The defeat means Liverpool have taken just four points from their last four Premier League games to lose their grip on top spot. A nightmare month also saw them bow out of the Europa League after failing to recover from a 3-0 home defeat against Atalanta in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Next up is a trip to West Ham, who remain in European contention but have just one win from their last seven league outings. Liverpool boss Klopp was in apologetic mood after the derby defeat, though, having lost to Everton for just the second time in his reign.
"Arsenal and Manchester City must have a very bad moment," Klopp told Sky Sports when asked about his team's title hopes. "I don't know. I can only apologise for today to the people. We should have done better but we didn't."
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