Liverpool's top-four ambitions are rekindled with a victory against Everton

It was a high-stakes derby held under extraordinary conditions. Liverpool hoped to take advantage of its opponents' missed points to keep its Champions League hopes alive, and Everton hoped to move out of the relegation zone and gain much-needed momentum under new manager Sean Dyche.
Consistently, it felt as if the outcome depended on small margins. Liverpool broke the deadlock just 18 seconds after Everton hit the post with a corner kick. They scored by breaking quickly and taking advantage of the fact that Jordan Pickford made a bad decision by marking Cody Gakpo at the back post instead of defending the goal. In reality, though, that was a rare opportunity for Everton, as Liverpool seemed to consistently increase the pressure on the visitors. A second goal shortly after halftime effectively ended the game, giving the team three valuable points.
With revived top-four ambitions and a critical Champions League tie against Real Madrid on the horizon, Liverpool tickets are in high demand.
Before Liverpool's victory over Everton on Monday Night Football, Gary Neville was sceptical about where Jurgen Klopp's team would find its creative flair in midfield. Klopp started Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and 18-year-old midfielder Stefan Bajcetic into the engine room in the absence of the injured Thiago Alcantara. Bajcetic had impressed at No 6 for the Reds since getting into the lineup earlier this season, but he was unleashed further up the pitch in the Merseyside derby.
The Spaniard, who started his career as a central defender, was running the show for Liverpool and giving Everton a hard time in the middle of the field. Bajcetic generated a game-high two opportunities, won all of his tackles and was Liverpool's third-most active player in terms of duels. He gives an order to chaos and commands play with wisdom beyond-his-years. Stefan Bajcetic could be the answer Klopp has been seeking for in order to remedy Liverpool's midfield problems. Mo Salah also praised the youngster before presenting him with the Player of the Match award.
This season's view is that the Uruguayan is to blame for Liverpool's difficulties, but this overlooks a multitude of factors.
Yes, Nunez has had growing pains, and yes, he should have a few more goals. Yet, Jurgen Klopp talks about him with a twinkle in his eye, and it would be a major error not to acknowledge the production that Klopp has extracted from strikers over the years.
Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane are clear examples of the magic Jurgen Klopp has worked at Anfield, but if you look farther back, you can see how Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski flourished at Borussia Dortmund.
Nunez is brimming with talent, and his explosive pace and pass that led to Salah's first goal in the Merseyside derby were indicative of a player who might be of the elite quality. Don't be surprised if he scores 25 goals next season.
According to Spanish media sources, Real Madrid has reached out to Jurgen Klopp as they prepare to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the summer.
The Reds are having a miserable season, having won just nine of their Premier League matches. As a result, Klopp's squad is currently ninth in the standings. There are several explanations for the significant decline from the previous season, but Klopp has received considerable criticism.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has seen a "great possibility" of bringing Klopp to the Bernabeu. According to the Spanish publication Nacional, Carlo Ancelotti might quit Real Madrid in the summer despite having time left on his contract, depending on how the team finishes the season. Los Blancos are presently second in La Liga, eight points behind champions Barcelona, and Ancelotti might lose his job "if they don't win any titles."
There has been some interaction between Perez and Liverpool manager Klopp, with the German stating his "financial" needs and requesting the addition of many "galactic reinforcements," notably Jude Bellingham. The story goes on to say that Klopp has also asked for Kylian Mbappe because, according to the Liverpool manager, Real Madrid needs an offensive player who can make a difference.
Despite the team's difficulties, the Spaniard has been one of Jurgen Klopp's more reliable midfielders this season. Since the World Cup break, Thiago has started each of Liverpool's previous ten games, playing 826 of the past 900 minutes, an impressive run of games.
Klopp disclosed that Thiago had a problem with his hip flexor, confirming what had been feared for some time: that the 31-year-old would suffer an injury. Sam Wallace said that Thiago "may miss another four weeks" and that it is "unclear how soon" he could return if "the injury is as severe as initially thought."
This makes rather uninspiring reading.
A four-week injury would cause Thiago to miss at least seven games, including the opening leg of the Champions League's last 16 against Real Madrid and the March 5 visit of Manchester United. On the verge of a four-week comeback, the journey to the Bernabeu on March 15 will be a dicey proposition.
Due to Thiago's absence, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho return to the starting lineup after starting from the bench in the previous three matches. However, Wallace also adds that No. 6 Calvin Ramsay has sustained a long-term injury; he has only appeared twice this season.
When it rains, it pours.
Liverpool is planning an internal promotion to replace the outgoing head of research, Ian Graham, who will leave after the season.
Graham, who has served as head of research since 2012, announced his departure shortly after Julian Ward resigned as athletic director.
It was a significant setback to Liverpool, who lost Michael Edwards last summer, especially considering the uncertainties off the field as Fenway Sports Group seeks financing. While no prominent candidates have been identified for the position of sporting director, the club has selected Graham's replacement.
According to Paul Joyce, principal data scientist William Spearman will now take over as director of research. Spearman, a Harvard graduate, has been with Liverpool since 2018, having previously worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland and sports analytics business Hudl in the US. The American has effectively operated as Graham's second in command, along with statisticians Tim Waskett and Dafydd Steele.
While his present work is mostly focused on on-pitch statistics and analytics, he will be assuming responsibility for recruitment, using a technology designed to identify transfer candidates outside traditional scouting. He will collaborate closely with the existing research staff, as well as Jurgen Klopp, Billy Hogan, chief scout Barry Hunter, Dave Fallows, head of recruiting, and Liverpool's next sports director.
Spearman's elevation continues Anfield's tradition of promoting from within, which includes players, coaches, and the boardroom. Crucially, it aims to halt the increasing exodus of high-profile personnel and establish a new basis for success both on and off the field.