Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his side have lost their fear factor after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday.
The result leaves the Premier League champions winless in three consecutive home games, with a Nordi Mukiele own goal salvaging a point for Liverpool against the Black Cats.
Sunderland had been on course for their first victory at Anfield since 1983, taking the lead through a deflected strike from Chemsdine Talbi. Liverpool equalised when Mukiele inadvertently deflected Florian Wirtz’s effort into his own net. In stoppage time, Wilson Isidor wasted a chance to snatch all three points after his shot was cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa.
Since a strong start of five consecutive league wins, Liverpool have managed only two victories in their last nine matches.
“Teams that play us now think they can get a result,” Slot said. “Not only think because that has been shown this season. Even the games we have won, we have fuelled the confidence for other teams that something is possible because the wins we had weren’t easy ones as well.”
Slot’s optimism following Sunday’s 2-0 victory at West Ham was quickly undone, with Liverpool struggling to break down Sunderland’s organised defence. Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for the second consecutive game, and signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, costing over £100 million combined, again failed to deliver.
“I knew before the game Sunderland is a hard team to score against, hard team to create chances against,” Slot added. “A game where we didn’t concede a lot or create a lot and were really unlucky with the goal we conceded. It was a deflection and could have gone anywhere but in the period we are in, it went in.”
Liverpool now face mounting pressure to rediscover their dominant form as the Premier League season progresses.
