• Liverpool beaten 2-0 by Everton
• Return to action on Saturday at 12:30 pm BST
• Van Dijk's complaints on early kick-off were brushed aside

WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool's aspirations for the Premier League title suffered a significant setback at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, as Everton secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park. The defeat leaves the Reds trailing leaders Arsenal by three points with only four matches remaining in the season, starting with an upcoming clash against West Ham on Saturday afternoon.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Van Dijk is not pleased with the 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday as he feels that the Premier League should have given them more time to recover following a Wednesday evening fixture. However, Rooney dismissed Van Dijk's concerns, citing Liverpool's recurrent complaints this season regarding early kick-off times following midweek matches and instead emphasised the professional obligation of Liverpool players to adapt.

WHAT VAN DIJK & ROONEY SAID

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Van Dijk said: "It's time to focus on the 12:30 kick-off again. These games are always a big fight and something that we shouldn't have lost in my opinion. Now we have to pick ourselves up and be ready for an early kick-off Saturday."

Rooney rebuffed the defender's grievances and said: "Again we are hearing about 12:30 kick-offs. Those Liverpool players should be wanting to go tomorrow because when you lose a derby game you want the games to come quick. Get on with it, it's part of your jobs."

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has previously voiced discontent over the disproportionate number of lunchtime fixtures his team has encountered compared to rivals. Following the international break in November, Klopp criticised the decision to reschedule Liverpool's fixture against Manchester City to a 12:30 pm kick-off slot, questioning the rationale behind such scheduling decisions and its impact on players.

"How can you put a game like this on Saturday at 12.30 pm?" he said. "Honestly, the people making these decisions, they cannot feel football, it is just not possible. And it is the moment where the world pays the most to see a football game."

WHAT NEXT?

The upcoming match against West Ham marks Liverpool's fifth 12:30 pm kick-off of the season. Regardless of the timing, their recent form has been concerning, with just one victory in their last four Premier League fixtures, including a draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford and a home defeat to Crystal Palace. Van Dijk & Co. can hardly afford a slip-up against the Hammers over the weekend to keep their championship hopes alive.