Liverpool have a disappointing record against promoted clubs this season but it isn't the first time they've struggled to defend the championship
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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There are many metrics and statistics that highlight where Liverpool have been failing in the Premier League this season. And one will come into particularly sharp focus this evening.
Liverpool journey to Sunderland looking to kickstart their challenge for Champions League qualification and inflict a first home defeat of the season on the Black Cats.
And in doing so, they can improve their underwhelming record against promoted teams that very much reflects their overall below-par efforts in the top flight and leaves them in danger of registering another unwanted record for Arne Slot.
Should Liverpool not win at the Stadium of Light, it will be the first time during the Premier League era they have earned fewer than two wins in games against teams who were in the second tier the previous season.
The Reds have this campaign won at Burnley and drawn at home to the Clarets, drawn home and away to Leeds United and in December been held to a 1-1 stalemate by tonight's opponents.
It is in stark contrast to last season when, under Slot, Liverpool won both home and away against Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton on their way to winning the title.
With seven points from five games, the Reds have already surpassed their lowest tally of just six points against promoted teams when losing four times combined in 2010/11 faced by Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and, most infamously, Blackpool, who did the double over Liverpool that season.
But their nearest rivals in the race for Champions League qualification have overall performed better and have more such games in hand. Manchester United have taken eight points from four games again promoted teams, Villa seven from three although Chelsea had already lost at home to Sunderland and away at Leeds United ahead of the reverse fixture against the latter on Tuesday evening.
It places even greater onus on Liverpool gaining victory at Sunderland, against whom they have lost only five times in their last 66 league meetings.
Of course, the Anfied side struggling to defend the championship is nothing new, having not successfully retained the title since 1984.
The following 1984/85 season they had 39 points from 25 games and were in seventh place - after last weekend, the Reds had 39 points from 25 games this campaign and stood sixth - before rallying to finish second.
In search of a third successive crown in 1980/81, Liverpool had a spell of six wins in 21 games - Slot's side are currently on a run of six in 20 - and ended up in fifth although with the significant bonus of lifting the European Cup.
And, of course, most recently in 2020/21 under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds at one stage lost eight out of 12 games - including six in a row at an empty Anfield - to drop to seventh and seven points off the top four with just 10 games to go. They eventually finished third.
Tonight's trip to Sunderland is the first of seven of their 13 Premier League games Liverpool have remaining against a team in the top half, the same as Chelsea. For United the number was six, Villa five.
If Slot's side are going to claim a Champions League qualification berth, it will be the difficult way. And tonight represents an ideal chance to start addressing their shortcomings.
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