Liverpool boss Arne Slot says opponents no longer fear his team after a 1-1 home draw with Sunderland extended their poor run of form.
LIVERPOOL: Manager Arne Slot admitted Liverpool have lost their fear factor after a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield.
The Premier League champions are now winless in three consecutive home matches.
They needed a Nordi Mukiele own goal to salvage a point against the Black Cats.
Sunderland had been on course for their first win at Anfield since 1983 after Chemsdine Talbi’s deflected strike opened the scoring.
Wilson Isidor then missed a huge chance to win it for the visitors in stoppage time.
His shot was cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa.
“Teams that play us now think they can get a result,” said Slot.
“Not only think because that has been shown this season.”
Slot noted that even Liverpool’s recent wins have fuelled opponents’ belief.
The Dutchman saw any momentum from Sunday’s 2-0 win at West Ham quickly evaporate.
Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for a second straight game before being introduced at half-time.
Big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak again failed to deliver.
“I knew before the game Sunderland is a hard team to score against,” added Slot.
He described it as a game with few chances at either end.
Slot lamented the deflection for Sunderland’s goal as symptomatic of their current luck.
Liverpool have won just two of their last nine Premier League games. – AFP
