Reaction from Anfield as Sunderland draw 1-1 with Liverpool
Sunderland almost snatched a famous win at Anfield on Wednesday night
Régis Le Bris defended Wilson Isidor after his late miss at Anfield on Wednesday, praising goalkeeper Alisson for his role in slowing down the Sunderland striker.
It looked as if Isidor would seal a famous when for the Black Cats when Robin Roefs sprang him clear with a brilliant kick, but Liverpool substitute Federico Chiesa cleared the ball off the line after the Frenchman had gone round Alisson.
Le Bris felt Isidor had too much time to weigh up his decision, but felt the Liverpool duo were due praise for their role in preventing the goal.
“Yeah, it was well played in the beginning, he connected well with Robin,” Le Bris said.
“It was a long run and probably a bit too long. He overthought about the way of managing this 1v1 with two or three defenders chasing behind him. I think it wasn't a bad choice, but Alisson did well as well.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot also praised Alisson and Chiesa for their role in preventing the goal.
“Yes, I think in the final minutes of the game we were close, in my opinion, to making the 2-1 because we had a few set pieces that were constantly around their box,” Slot said.
“They couldn't actually come out of that situation anymore. But then from one of the set pieces, when we brought in the second phase, we brought the ball and then their goalkeeper caught the ball. I looked up and I saw a player run down completely free at the halfway line.
“The good thing was from Federico Chiesa that he could have thought, it's nothing for me to do anymore, I'm so far away from the situation. But he kept sprinting and Ali moved him to the outside. As a result of that, Federico Chiesa could clear the ball off the line, which was the minimum we deserved tonight and the minimum his effort deserved as well.”
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Régis Le Bris delivers upbeat Sunderland verdict after Liverpool draw
“I’m feeling positive at the minute, to be fair,” Le Bris said of Sunderland’s performance on the night.
“We had this opportunity to score the second goal, but it's a good result for both teams. We started well, the first half was interesting with and without the ball. Probably we didn't believe enough that it was possible to score and we did it in the beginning of the second half. I think we were even a bit surprised to have time and space to build up the play and probably they didn't expect to be at that level. We spoke about this final third and the way it was possible to disturb their back line. We expected Salah as well to come on the pitch and to change a bit the dynamics, so we are prepared.”
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