Jamie Carragher took aim at one Liverpool star, who was "really poor" against Sunderland, as Arne Slot's side endured another mixed evening at Anfield.
Liverpool struggle at Anfield yet again
After victory over West Ham United last weekend, Liverpool looked to their game against Sunderland as an ideal chance to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League and stop the rot. The Black Cats had different ideas, however, and soon reminded the Reds why they find themselves in the position they're in.
In many ways, Chemsdine Talbi's deflected effort summed up Liverpool's recent fortunes. With the Premier League champions entering the game off the back of two Anfield losses, the last thing they needed was for Virgil van Dijk's block to find the back of Alisson Becker's net.
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One positive for Liverpool in recent weeks has been the form of Florian Wirtz, though, and at long last the German made his mark in the Premier League. His effort went down as a Nordi Mukiele own goal, but there's no doubt that one of the summer's most expensive signings stepped up to get his side level.
It was far from a vintage display from the champions, but they'll at least be relieved to avoid another defeat. Following victory at West Ham, Slot's side should see the Leeds United game this weekend as the opportunity to turn the narrative to two wins from three games in the same week.
That said, whether Alexander Isak plays a part this weekend remains to be seen. The Swede didn't follow up from last weekend's first Premier League goal for the club and had just 15 touches, much to Carragher's frustration.
Jamie Carragher slams "really poor" Alexander Isak
Watching on from commentary, Carragher slammed Isak as "really poor" and said that the forward has no "excuses" for his disappointing form at this stage of the campaign.
"I know he's not had a pre season but we can't make excuses, we're in December now, he's been really poor." (Carragher)
After smashing their transfer record to welcome the £280,000-a-week star, Liverpool were in dreamland in the summer. Alas, that dream has quickly turned into a nightmare for all involved.
Isak has gone from strike to strike-less at times. Liverpool sit eighth and their attack has never seemed so toothless under Slot. With Hugo Ekitke also struggling to find the back of the net in recent weeks, there's no doubt that the Reds have an attacking problem on their hands.
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It doesn't get any easier, either. On paper, a trip to a newly promoted side should be a routine affair, but Liverpool will be squaring off against a Leeds side who just defeated Chelsea.
Before then, Slot simply has to find a way to get Isak more involved. With just 15 touches, the Swede was always likely to struggle.
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