Merseyslide!
Liverpool, Everton fall to north London clubs
FINAL SCORE: North London 9, Merseyside 3. Liverpool and Everton endured a miserable Sunday in the English Premier League (EPL) as they were torn apart by Tottenham and Arsenal, respectively.
Arsenal had five different scorers in a 5-2 victory that further weakened Everton manager Ronald Koeman’s job security. Harry Kane scored twice in front of a record Premier League crowd of more than 80,000 as Tottenham beat Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley Stadium.
The statistics are bleak for Koeman in his second season in charge: Everton has no wins in its last five matches, two victories in the last 13, eight points from nine games and only six league goals.
Everton, which finished seventh in the EPL last season, is bottom of its Europa League group with one point from three games.
“I am responsible for this team,” Koeman said. “The final result is really poor, but all these kind of decisions (about my future) is not in my hands.”
Although Wayne Rooney put Everton in front, that was as good as it got for Everton. Nacho Monreal equalised just before the break with further goals coming from Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette — after Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off — and Aaron Ramsey.
Substitute Oumar Niasse pulled one back, thanks to poor defending, but Alexis Sanchez had the final say with the last kick of the game as Arsenal eased to a first away win of the season.
Despite around £150 million (US$198 million) being invested in new players in the summer, Everton is now in the relegation zone.
“The team is underperforming, it is in a difficult situation mentally and struggling for confidence. That is what we need to change,” Koeman said. “I still believe I can change the whole situation, but everybody knows how it works in football. That is all I can answer about this situation. I told the players that I believe the players, I believe in the commitment of the players.”
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp hopes to deliver Liverpool’s first league title since 1990. Some chance, now, in his third season.
WORST START
Liverpool has conceded 16 goals in nine league games — its worst start in 53 years — to sit 12 points behind leader Manchester City in eighth place.
Tottenham, though, is on the up after a sluggish start to the season. Mauricio Pochettino’s side is only behind second-place Manchester United on goal difference and within five points of City.
Tottenham is finally looking at ease at its temporary Wembley home, but few opponents will be as easy to pick apart as Liverpool. Few EPL players will be as brittle in defence as Dejan Lovren, who was hauled off after a half-hour.
By that stage, Tottenham was already 2-1 up after going in front after only four minutes through Kane, and then Son Heung-min netted in the 12th minute.
Liverpool had not threatened when Mohamed Salah scored in the 24th, but it would only prove a consolation. Dele Alli restored Tottenham’s two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time and Kane was on target again 11 minutes into the second half.