Premier League news LIVE: Latest press conference updates as Jurgen Klopp responds to Liverpool defeat
Liverpool are in action in the Premier League’s early kick-off following defeat to Everton at Goodison Park in midweek
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Manchester City closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to just one point after strolling to a 4-0 win over Brighton last night, and now Liverpool prepare to head to West Ham United as Jurgen Klopp’s side bid to keep their fading title challenge alive.
The Reds are in action in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday, after Klopp conceded that Liverpool require City and Arsenal to have a “crisis” in order to win the title in his last season in charge following defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
It’s been a busy week off the pitch for Liverpool, too, with Arne Slot confirming that he is interested in the Anfield hotseat after the Reds opened talks with Feyenoord for the Dutchman.
There’s also a North London derby to build up to, as Arsenal travel to Tottenham Hotspur looking to keep their title challenge on track. Anything other than a victory would give the champions the chance to go top, with a game in hand, as Pep Guardiola’s side head to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
We’ll have the Premier League news and updates from today’s pre-match press conferences ahead of the weekend’s fixtures
Virgil van Dijk questions Liverpool’s hunger after Everton defeat: ‘We have to look in the mirror’
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk questioned his side’s hunger to win the Premier League and said “everyone has to look in the mirror” a 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park all but ended their title hopes under Jurgen Klopp.
Everton’s physical approach overwhelmed Liverpool as goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned the hosts a famous win in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool are just three points behind leaders Arsenal with four games to go, but Manchester City have two games in hand on Klopp’s side and would go five points above them if they win both.
Virgil van Dijk questions Liverpool’s hunger after Everton defeat
Van Dijk said Liverpool have ‘no chance’ of winning the title if they repeat their Goodison Park performance in their final four games of the season
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez to miss rest of season after surgery
Enzo Fernandez will miss the remainder of Chelsea’s season after undergoing surgery on a groin problem on Thursday.
The Argentina midfielder has been suffering for several weeks with a hernia and gave a largely ineffectual performance during his team’s chastening 5-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino has suffered from an ongoing injury crisis this season with a list of absentees that has rarely dropped below seven first-team names.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez to miss rest of season after surgery
The Argentina midfielder has been suffering for several weeks with a hernia.
Consequences of Liverpool’s defeat to Everton
Liverpool missed out on a chance to go level on points with league leaders Arsenal, but instead will go into the final four matches of the season three points behind, and with Manchester City having a game in hand.
The result gave Everton’s chances of staying in the top flight a massive boost, although without the eight-point deduction they would have already been assured of safety.
It was only Everton’s second Merseyside derby victory in the Premier League since 2011, and it was one that will mean a lot to the club as the players and fans celebrated following the final whistle.
Reaction from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
While Liverpool still have a small chance at the title, captain Virgil van Dijk said the Reds have “no chance” of winning the Premier League if they play like they did at Goodison.
“Very disappointed in so many ways,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the defeat. “I think everyone has to look in the mirror, look at their own performance and if they really gave everything. Do they really want to win the league?
“We are fighting, there are games after tonight, but play like we did overall in the game like today... not winning challenges and giving the ref an opportunity to give a free-kick like he did many times, then you have no chance to win a title.
“It’s a tough one and we need to do much better against a side that’s [fighting] relegation. We had clear-cut chances in the first half that we should have scored but we weren’t good enough and it starts with the fight. We can’t let the season go out like this.”
‘This is the end’: Jamie Carragher declares Liverpool’s title challenge over after Everton defeat
Jamie Carragher believes defeat to Everton “is the end” of Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at the club.
Liverpool are three points behind leaders Arsenal in the title race, while Manchester City can go five points clear if they win their two games in hand.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher said to Sky Sports after the match: “This is the end of the title run for Liverpool. It almost feels like the end. They just have to make sure they finish the season strongly. They are not clinical enough in both boxes.”
He added: “Tonight is Everton’s night, you have to take it on the chin.”
Marcus Rashford hits out at ‘months of abuse’ in late-night post
Marcus Rashford insists “enough is enough” after the Manchester United forward took to social media late at night after receiving “months of abuse”.
Rashford has been the target of supporters throughout a troubling period of form both individually and for the Red Devils overall this season.
The 26-year-old was substituted by Erik ten Hag and replaced with Amad Diallo at Wembley after Coventry City equalised to make it 3-3 in the FA Cup semi-final, which prompted boos from the United supporters.
United would go on to win the tie on penalties, but Rashford was then omitted from the squad for the victory over Sheffield United with an injury and his involvement against Burnley this weekend is now in doubt.
Marcus Rashford hits out at ‘months of abuse’ in late-night post
The Man Utd and England forward has hit back after suffering more abuse from fans following a poor run of form
Guardiola: Liverpool’s surprise Merseyside derby defeat must serve as warning to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “I said to the players what happened to Liverpool can happen to us and can happen to Arsenal.
“People didn’t expect them to lose against Crystal Palace and yesterday but it can happen to us – it’s football.
“Everton is playing to avoid the relegation zone and we have a similar game at Nottingham Forest (on Sunday) and they play for their lives.
“Maybe because they were a real contender of ours for many years, my appreciation for Liverpool is higher than ever.
“Still it (the title) is there (for Liverpool) because I know the character of their team. They are going to fight until the end and we have to do it too.”
Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to remain focused for title run-in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said Liverpool’s surprise derby defeat to Everton served as a warning to his players ahead of a 4-0 thrashing of Brighton.
City moved a point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and leapfrogged Jurgen Klopp’s side into second spot thanks to Phil Foden’s double and goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez.
A thumping south-coast success came 24 hours after Liverpool lost further ground in the title race by suffering a 2-0 loss to their Merseyside rivals at Goodison Park on the back of a shock 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month.
Guardiola, whose reigning champions have a game in hand over their two closest rivals, insists the Reds remain contenders and acknowledges City are also susceptible to slipping up during the run-in.
Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to remain focused for title run-in
City moved a point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Manchester City close the gap on leaders Arsenal with clinical performance against Brighton
Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to a single point after Phil Foden’s first-half double helped inspire a resounding 4-0 victory over Brighton.
Kevin De Bruyne’s eye-catching diving header set Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions on course for a comprehensive success at a soggy Amex Stadium.
City, who have a game in hand on the table-topping Gunners, were in complete control by the break as Foden moved past 50 top-flight goals with a quick-fire brace, before Julian Alvarez completed the rout in the second period.
Manchester City close the gap on leaders Arsenal with clinical performance
Kevin De Bruyne’s eye-catching diving header set City side on course for a comprehensive success
Good morning
Manchester City closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to just one point after strolling to a 4-0 win over Brighton last night, and now Liverpool prepare to head to West Ham United as Jurgen Klopp’s side bid to keep their fading title challenge alive.
The Reds are in action in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday, after Klopp conceded that Liverpool require City and Arsenal to have a “crisis” in order to win the title in his last season in charge following defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
It’s been a busy week off the pitch for Liverpool, too, with Arne Slot confirming that he is interested in the Anfield hotseat after the Reds opened talks with Feyenoord for the Dutchman.
There’s also a North London derby to build up to, as Arsenal travel to Tottenham Hotspur looking to keep their title challenge on track. Anything other than a victory would give the champions the chance to go top, with a game in hand, as Pep Guardiola’s side head to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
We’ll have the Premier League news and updates from today’s pre-match press conferences ahead of the weekend’s fixtures
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