In the Premier League, Liverpool’s city rivals Everton thrashed Brighton. This helps the Reds’ European chances while also serving as a reminder of the Champions League
Driven forward by Abdoulaye Doucouré, who scored twice, Everton produced the kind of shock result that could yet be enough to keep them from being relegated for another season.
Depending on other results, there may still be more to do — and Sean Dyche’s side’s next opponent is Manchester City — but Everton is now outside the bottom three after Leicester City lost 5-1 at Fulham earlier in the day. Nobody could have predicted the 5-1 victory at Amex Stadium.
Liverpool was watching the future of its city rival with interest, but there was also the more immediate concern of Brighton — a team seven points behind the Reds at kick-off, but with three (and now two) games in hand.
Brighton’s Champions League hopes — or, more accurately, its hopes of finishing above Liverpool — are no longer in the hands of Roberto de Zerbi’s men, following their defeat to Everton.
Brighton also faces Newcastle, Arsenal, and Manchester City, as well as Southampton and Aston Villa, making it the most difficult run-in of any European-chasing team.
Its defeat, however, demonstrates that nothing can be taken for granted at this stage of the campaign. Liverpool needs more surprises, but no one could have predicted Everton being three up at halftime.
Manchester United is perhaps the most likely to make a mistake. A repeat of Everton’s surprise victory would be nice, but it would not be necessary. Liverpool does not even need Erik ten Hag’s men to lose; only to draw, albeit twice, if it can avoid any surprises and win its final three games.
Would Manchester United’s draws with Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Chelsea (H), and Fulham (H) come as a surprise? Not as much as Everton’s comfortable victory over high-flying Brighton.
Newcastle would need to lose three games to finish the season, with games against Leeds United (A), Brighton (H), Leicester (H), and Chelsea (A) remaining. That would be even more surprising, and would require a little more of a collapse, but it is possible.
Anything can happen at the back end of the Premier League, especially in a season where things are so tight in almost every area of the table. All Jürgen Klopp’s team can do is keep winning, and the Reds are hoping for more.
Would Manchester United’s draws with Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Chelsea (H), and Fulham (H) come as a surprise? Not as much as Everton’s comfortable victory over high-flying Brighton.
Newcastle would need to lose three games to finish the season, with games against Leeds United (A), Brighton (H), Leicester (H), and Chelsea (A) remaining. That would be even more surprising, and would require a little more of a collapse, but it is possible.
Anything can happen at the back end of the Premier League, especially in a season where things are so tight in almost every area of the table. All Jürgen Klopp’s team can do is keep winning, and the Reds are hoping for more.
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