Everton suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
David Moyes’ side conceded to Virgil van Dijk in stoppage time in the first-ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton will certainly feel disappointed, as they more than matched Liverpool in an action-packed game on the docks.
What went wrong there for Everton? 😫
Heartbreak for the Blues in the derby
Beto of Everton leaves the pitch due to a injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That said, here are three things we learned from the clash.
Everton striker Thierno Barry.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Everton’s Champions League dream is over
Everton knew a win would take them two points behind Liverpool, thus within touching distance of the Champions League spots.
But, the crushing defeat has now pretty much ruled out any chance of qualifying for Europe’s most prestigious competition.
The Toffees are now eight points adrift of fifth place, so the aim has now shifted towards the Europa or Conference League.
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They’re still in a good position, as only one point separates them from Chelsea in sixth.
Beto has to stay at Everton
Whilst he is very inconsistent in front of goal, the rest of Beto’s play makes Everton such a threat going forward.
The 28-year-old’s movement is up there with some of the best strikers in the Premier League, and he was a real handful for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate today.
Should Everton actually be getting Beto tied down to a new contract? 🤔
He'll only have a year left this summer…
A custom graphic showing a quote from Beto after Everton's win over Chelsea.
Beto got his reward with the equaliser in the second half and proved exactly why he must stay another season.
There have been rumours that Everton could sanction Beto’s sale, but those plans should be cancelled as he’s such an asset to have in the squad.
Everton will be in market for a centre-back after Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury
Jarrad Branthwaite was stretchered off with what looked like another hamstring injury.
Branthwaite underwent surgery on his hamstring earlier this season, so it seems like a recurring issue, which is such a shame.
The Toffees will likely be forced into the market for a replacement this summer, with Marcos Senesi being linked to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Senesi would be the ideal recruit, as like Branthwaite, the Bournemouth centre-back is left-footed, so he’d be the perfect partner for James Tarkowski.
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