Brutal Virgil van Dijk says ‘everyone has to look in the mirror’ and asks whether team-mates ‘really want to win league’
VIRGIL VAN DIJK admits the Premier League will become a two-horse if Liverpool do not improve fast.
The Reds left Goodison Park with their tails between their legs after being humbled 2-0 by Everton to hand the advantage to Manchester City and Arsenal.
And their Dutch skipper, 32, had some incredibly brutal words for his team-mates as he faced up to the Sky Sports cameras.
He said: “[We’re] Disappointed in so many ways.
“I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance and ask if they really gave everything? Do they really want to win the league?
“Obviously we’re fighting and we still have games after tonight.
“But if we play like we did overall today, not winning challenges and giving the ref the opportunity to give a free-kick like he did many, many times, then we have no chance to win the title.
“It’s a tough one and obviously we had to play much better against a side who are fighting relegation.”
Everton had an early chance to score from the spot taken away by a VAR review.
But Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck either side of the break for a famous victory that eases their relegation fears.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes the writing is on the wall already with Arsenal three points clear and boasting a vastly superior goal difference.
The pundit cannot see how Jurgen Klopp can secure a fairy-tale finish before he leaves Anfield this summer, especially with City a point behind with two games in hand.
He said on Sky Sports: It’s Everton’s night. You have to accept that as a Liverpool fan.
“It’s the end of the title run. They’ve just got to make sure they finish the season really strong now.
“They had enough chances to win the game but at the moment they’re not clinical enough in both boxes.
“I don’t think it’s the time to get too angry with the team and Jurgen Klopp.
“It’s been a great ride but it’s Everton’s night.”