We just weren’t smart enough, admits Klopp

LIVERPOOL inched closer to the Premier League title last night but only after they were given an almighty scare in the Merseyside derby.

Jurgen Klopp’s side can still become champions on Wednesday by beating Crystal Palace following a dour 0-0 draw with Everton — but it will need Burnley to beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium tonight for that to happen.

They would have been waiting even longer, however, had it not been for a superb 79th-minute save by Alisson Becker to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Everton then saw Tom Davies hit a post from a follow-up when it seemed they were about to celebrate a first derby win in 22 attempts, stretching all the way back to October 2010.

Carlo Ancelotti, Everton’s manager, felt his team were a ‘little unlucky’ and Klopp was relieved to escape with a draw. The German said: ‘It was really tough, both teams showed that they understood it was a derby, even without the crowd.

‘All players really lived the game. I liked our defending. We did not have enough chances for the possession that we had. We wanted to have more chances.

‘They (Everton) had the biggest chance — that is how it is. I have to admit that.

‘Everton defended really well. They took care of Sadio Mane and Trent AlexanderArnold and we were not smart enough a lot of the time. For this reason (to get a draw) we can be satisfied.

‘The last few derbies here have been like this (three 0-0 draws in a row). Each time, we have to fight like crazy. We have space for improvement when we come to Goodison Park. I also know we have more to give. A point is one we deserve.’

Everton finished the stronger of the sides and Calvert-Lewin thought he had made himself the hero when he back-heeled Richarlison’s cross towards goal. Calvert-Lewin said: ‘It was instinct at the end, there. We had a few chances but it wasn’t our day.

‘It wasn’t as sharp as usual, as we didn’t have the rhythm of games.

‘We will take the point. We limited them to a few chances. Maybe we had better chances at the end of the game.

‘It was strange with no atmosphere, bizarre for a game of this magnitude. It was hard to get used to at first, but we play football for a living and it’s all about concentration and focus.’