Everton beats Liverpool in Merseyside Derby in devastating blow to ...

Liverpool has suffered a 2-0 loss to Everton in the Merseyside derby, which could prove to be the death of the visitors' withering Premier League title hopes.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored either side of half-time at Goodison Park to sink their long-time rivals, who have just one win from their past four games.

Everton's first derby victory at Goodison Park in more than 13 years prevented Liverpool from climbing level with Arsenal at the top of the league table.

Jürgen Klopp's men are three points behind the Gunners (77) with four games to play.

Holders Manchester City remain in the driver's seat in third spot on 73 points but with two games in hand.

Everton's victory has them breathing easier, eight points above the relegation zone in 16th.

Branthwaite had Goodison shaking in the 27th minute when he capitalised on poor defending from Liverpool, slotting home from close range after the Reds missed several attempts to clear the ball.

Calvert-Lewin leapt to head home from a corner kick to double the Toffees' lead in the 58th minute, and while Liverpool have mounted some masterful comebacks this season, Everton held strong to hand Klopp, who is leaving Liverpool at the season's end, his first defeat at Goodison in his final derby.

"Very disappointed in so many ways and I think everyone has to look in the mirror look at their own performances, did they give everything and do they really want to win the league?" Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said.

"Obviously there are still games after tonight, but if we play like we did tonight, we have no chance to win the title. It's a tough one and obviously we have to do much better against a side that is playing against relegation."

Elsewhere, at Old Trafford, Manchester United was twice forced to come from behind to beat last-placed Sheffield United.

Jayden Bogle put the Blades ahead in the 35th minute when he swooped on a poor clearance from United goalkeeper André Onana, before United captain Harry Maguire angled in a header from a tight angle to equalise in the 42nd.

Ben Brereton Diaz put Sheffield back in front when he slotted in the 50th minute, but it all went sideways from there when American Auston Trusty got tangled up with Maguire in the box and Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot.

The Portugues star then gave the Red Devils a 3-2 lead when he curled in a brilliant left-footed strike in the 81st, and set up Rasmus Højlund with a neat cross five minutes from time to put the victory beyond doubt.

Reuters/ABC