Liverpool slumped to another disappointing result on Wednesday night as they were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield.
What should have been a straightforward win for the defending champions turned into yet another setback in a campaign that continues to unravel. Despite playing at home, the Reds were second best for long stretches of the match.
Chemsdine Talbi put the visitors ahead with a deflected effort, and although Liverpool were gifted an equaliser through an own goal, Sunderland nearly snatched all three points late on if not for Chiesa’s brilliant goal-line clearance.
The display lacked the energy, intensity, and sharpness that defined last season’s title triumph.
After the game, Arne Slot gave a downbeat assessment that did little to reassure supporters.
He said:
“I think it was similar to the weekend — a match where we didn’t give up many chances, but we didn’t create much either. The deflected goal was really unlucky. I liked how we reacted afterwards…”
“Neither side had many opportunities, but I think we had slightly more. We were very unlucky in the second half because we kept pushing and came back strongly.”
“We’re not the only team that has struggled against Sunderland. They defend with real compactness and press aggressively. Yes, it looks like we’re slow on the ball, but finding a free man is difficult.”
These remarks will remind many supporters of the Roy Hodgson era, when Liverpool’s manager often praised opponents and downplayed poor results. But what truly concerned fans was Slot’s broader admission that he still cannot explain the team’s dramatic collapse in form.
Having recently admitted he is “not sure what is happening” this season, his latest comments did not offer the solutions or authority expected from a Liverpool manager. Instead of explaining a clear path forward, he pointed to misfortune and lack of clear chances — increasing the impression that he is struggling for answers.
Fan frustration growing
This is not the kind of message Liverpool fans expect from their manager. The Anfield crowd is used to leaders who remain decisive and confident in difficult moments, but each week Slot appears to be losing control of the situation.
What once came across as honesty is now starting to look like uncertainty and lack of direction. Many supporters feel that a manager who openly admits he doesn’t know why his team is failing may also be unable to fix the problem.
Liverpool’s last 14 results (all competitions)
1. Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool — Premier League — Loss
2. Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool — Champions League — Loss
3. Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool — Premier League — Loss
4. Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd — Premier League — Loss
5. Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool — Champions League — Win
6. Brentford 3-2 Liverpool — Premier League — Loss
7. Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace — Carabao Cup — Loss
8. Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa — Premier League — Win
9. Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid — Champions League — Win
10. Man City 3-0 Liverpool — Premier League — Loss
11. Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest — Premier League — Loss
12. Liverpool 1-4 PSV Eindhoven — Champions League — Loss
13. West Ham 0-2 Liverpool — Premier League — Win
14. Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland — Premier League — Draw
The mood among fans — both online and in the stands — is shifting rapidly. Patience is thinning, disbelief is rising, and speculation is growing that the demands of managing Liverpool may be overwhelming Slot.
With the team stuck in mid-table and the manager openly baffled by the decline, the conversation has changed. It’s no longer about whether Liverpool are in a crisis — it’s about whether Slot is capable of guiding them out of it.