Florian Wirtz’s individual brilliance rescued Liverpool a point against Sunderland, but the result was by no means positive.
Liverpool have failed to win three games in a row at Anfield for the first time since 2021 under Jurgen Klopp.
They have won just two of their last seven home matches, and a number of players were poor against Sunderland.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Who was your Man of the Match against Sunderland?
Florian Wirtz pictured during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at Anfield.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Fans were quick to praise Wirtz for his actions on the night, while Federico Chiesa made an important block to prevent a defeat.
But in truth, Liverpool may actually have benefited from suffering another defeat on Wednesday.
Nothing will change under Arne Slot
Liverpool were backing Slot prior to West Ham last week, and four points from six will probably just about keep FSG happy for the time being.
At this point, however, it’s become clear the Dutchman isn’t the man to turn things around on Merseyside this season.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Multiple pundits are worried about Liverpool, and as Daniel Strurridge so accurately summarised, the Reds are sticking square pegs in round holes.
Former players and pundits share their worrying Liverpool verdicts after Sunderland, what needs to change?
“We’re
looking at a team that is putting square pegs in round holes.”
Daniel Sturridge
“Sunderland were fantastic but Liverpool, the
performance was really, really worrying. It feels like a step back. They didn’t
look like scoring. They were lacking zip, energy, pace and power. It’s really
worrying.”
Jamie Carragher
“Liverpool looked like they had no idea how to break this
team down and they got lucky to get a point. On a 90-minute performance
Sunderland really deserved to win the game.”
Dion Dublin
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Slot doesn’t appear to have any solutions to the current woes, and the only reason defeat was avoided last night was because of Chiesa’s willingness to track back.
After signing for a British transfer record, Alexander Isak remains isolated up front.
Mohamed Salah was made the scapegoat in the last week, but after that drab first half against Sunderland, it became apparent Liverpool’s issues run much deeper than the Egyptian and his lack of defensive acumen.
Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk’s form has become a concern, and Alexis Mac Allister continues to struggle.
But will anything change as long as Slot is the manager? Probably not.
Arne Slot during Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Arne Slot statements after Sunderland are frustrating
His lack of awareness of what is actually going on at Anfield this season was summed up perfectly with two statements post-match.
Firstly, he said: “I think we were close to making it 2-1 because we had a few set-pieces.” Liverpool never looked like favourites to win, and as already mentioned, probably should have conceded a second themselves.
A short while later, he told the press: “The draw was the minimum that we deserved tonight.”
As one fan put it: “The first statement is mental. The second is delusional.”
Another went as far as to compare Slot to Brendan Rodgers in 2015 before he was replaced by Jurgen Klopp: “Sounds a lot like 2015. What’s the plan, Brendan?”
They are truly worrying times at Liverpool, and while it may be noble of FSG to back a manager who has just won the Premier League, at this point, they are simply delaying the inevitable.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox