Liverpool fear factor gone, admits Arne Slot

LONDON – Liverpool boss Arne Slot conceded that his side have lost their fear factor during a miserable run as Sunderland emerged with a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday.

The Premier League champions have now failed to win in three consecutive home games and needed a Nordi Mukiele own goal to rescue a point against the Black Cats.

Sunderland were on course for their first win at Anfield since 1983 when Chemsdine Talbi’s deflected strike opened the scoring.

Even after Mukiele deflected Florian Wirtz’s effort into his own net for the equaliser, Wilson Isidor wasted a huge chance to snatch all three points for the visitors when his shot was cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa in stoppage time – underlining Liverpool’s struggles.

Since winning their opening five league games of the season, the Reds have won just two of their last nine.

“Teams that play us now think they can get a result,” said Slot. “And 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.”

The Dutchman pointed to a recurring issue that continues to haunt the champions – a lack of cutting edge.

“We are already 14 games in now and we haven’t been able to score enough from open play or from set pieces,” he said.

Any hope that a corner had been turned in Sunday’s 2-0 victory at West Ham was quickly dispelled for Slot.

Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for the second consecutive game, but Wirtz and Alexander Isak again failed to deliver on their price tags of over £100 million.

Salah was introduced at the start of the second period, but also struggled to make an impact against Sunderland’s well-organised defence.

“I knew before the game Sunderland is a hard team to score against, hard team to create chances against,” added Slot.

“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.”

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris told Sky Sports that he was not disappointed despite nearly winning the game at the end.

“Because it’s a good point, especially in this place, it’s a privilege to play here,” he said.

“We played our football, happy with the first half. Even during half-time, we spoke together to push a bit more just because we played well, but without probably the belief that it was possible to score, and we did it in the second half.” AFP, REUTERS