Everton adds to Liverpool’s woes

Everton deepened Liverpool’s Premier League title defense woes by winning at Anfield for the first time since 1999 on Saturday, a 2-0 triumph that consigned the champions to a fourth successive home loss. It’s Liverpool’s worst home league run since 1923 and leaves Jürgen Klopp’s side 16 points behind leader Manchester City and with Everton only behind on goal difference with a game in hand. Everton hadn’t even beaten Liverpool anywhere since 2010. The only disappointment for Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have been not having any fans allowed into the home of its greatest rival, due to the pandemic, to see the landmark triumph. “Coming here all the years and kind of letting ourselves down, but more importantly letting the blue side of the city down, it’s been hard,” Everton captain Séamus Coleman said. “We can put face on it and try to brush it off, but it’s difficult to take and you feel sorry for the fans and fed up of coming out with same clichés after losing.” Even worse for Liverpool was losing yet another center back option as Jordan Henderson was forced off injured in the first half. Henderson’s problem appeared to be a groin injury as he pulled up running the ball out of defense in the first half.

Friday, 5:30 p.m. TV: BTN

ILB: Patrick Queen is the new leader at inside linebacker. What’s his next step?

DL: Defensive line helped stop Derrick Henry, but another overhaul is coming soon

OLB: Massive hole at outside linebacker looms with top contributors set to hit free agency

OL: Help needed on an offensive line that collapsed in playoff loss to Bills

WR: Wide receivers take small steps forward, but there’s still a big need

TE: Mark Andrews is the headliner at tight end, but Nick Boyle’s return is key

RB: J.K. Dobbins is a rising star, but will Gus Edwards rejoin him in Baltimore?

QB: Lamar Jackson enters a pivotal offseason, and backup job is up for grabs