Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool earned a 1-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League.
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris admitted that ‘monsters’ Liverpool were simply too ‘good, mature, smart and agile’ as his side’s unbeaten home record was put paid to.
Arne Slot’s side’s triumph could have been more emphatic, with Florian Wirtz hitting the post while Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah spurned late chances. And Le Bris had no complaints that his Sunderland team succumbed to the reigning English champions.
A magnanimous Le Bris said: "They were good, mature, smart, agile, many good players, good experience. The first half was a bit tough because we didn't find the right position to be close, to duel them. We sat, we wasted a bit of energy during this part and with the ball it was obviously difficult, but we tried.
"It was a bit better during the second half, but they scored on set-pieces and small margins define this kind of game. We tried, we were brave I think.
"They have this ability to go long and keep the ball. Probably this part where we spoke during the half-time, that was really important when we locked on man-for-man to win this first contact and to be able to regain possession at the time. But it wasn't the case in the first half, it was probably better during the second half.
"You [then] take risks because it's a 3v3 supported by one or two players. We know that it's dangerous, but we have to be brave and it was a bit better. It was the story of the first half, it was a bit different than during the second."
“We felt the quality really clearly. They were composed. Even in the second balls, it was tight. They have this ability to combine, to secure the first touch and to combine in tight spaces, so they were good.
"When you are not really close to them, you can't regain possession. It was our speech during the half-time. If you fix this problem, you'll have another one to manage. We tried, even with the ball.
"I think we showed composure and bravery, but it wasn't enough. We had three or four opportunities, but probably we were not accurate enough. This last pass, the last touch and the final decision, today it wasn't so clean.
"It is what it is. I repeat, four days after Arsenal (a 3-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium), we had to go again against a monster. We showed a great character, a great identity, but it wasn't enough."
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