Liverpool's Stars Falter as Arne Slot's Reds Drop Points in Frustrating Sunderland Stalemate

Liverpool failed to capitalize on the positive energy from their West Ham United win on Sunday, as they labored to earn just one point against Sunderland at Anfield.

The Reds' weekend success over West Ham had created optimism after ending a poor streak. However, Arne Slot's team were outplayed at home by the promoted club and were lucky to escape with a 1–1 stalemate.

Slot again chose to start Mohamed Salah on the substitutes' bench, introducing him at the interval after a lackluster opening 45 minutes. Sunderland continued their strong form, though they hardly needed to be exceptional to make what's usually an intimidating away fixture appear comfortable.

The result lifts the Black Cats to sixth position, while Liverpool sit in eighth, waiting for Manchester United's encounter with West Ham on Thursday evening.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs. Sunderland (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Alisson—6.2: Owed gratitude to his skipper for the goal conceded, but Alisson appeared unsettled throughout Wednesday evening despite facing limited action.

RB: Joe Gomez—6.3: An uncomfortable assignment in this position without a wide player ahead providing touchline width. Gomez wasn't helped by Slot's tactical setup, appearing clumsy in possession and receiving a yellow card in the second period for a reckless tackle.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—7.6: Brian Brobbey matched Konaté physically, who showed glimpses but failed to bring stability to Liverpool's backline. Opposition teams continue allowing him space during build-up play.

CB: Virgil van Dijk—7.6: Weak defending for Talbi's strike. Van Dijk retreated and allowed the deflection that put his team behind. Frequently won aerial duels in Sunderland's penalty area from deliveries and corners.

LB: Andy Robertson—7.0: Sunderland rarely threatened down their right flank, but Robertson offered little as an attacking outlet when Liverpool possessed the ball. He's clearly lost the explosive overlapping runs that characterized his peak years.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—7.8: An inconsistent performance from Gravenberch throughout. Poor first touches invited Sunderland's pressing game.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—7.4: Likely the most sluggish in possession, committing several careless errors in the opening half. He's finding it difficult in Liverpool's midfield engine room.

AM: Florian Wirtz—7.3: His nearest attempt at scoring his maiden goal, but Wirtz excellently created the chance. Anfield witnessed flashes of brilliance again, though Liverpool couldn't consistently find him in dangerous areas before he moved to the left wing after halftime.

RW: Dominik Szoboszlai—6.9: Frequently Liverpool's go-to player for creativity this campaign, but the Hungarian couldn't provide the magic here, despite some neat touches in both halves.

ST: Alexander Isak—6.5: Hardly featured and ineffective when receiving possession. Sunday's strike didn't produce the intended impact.

LW: Cody Gakpo—5.8: Represented Liverpool's early lack of imagination. Consistently cut inside and rarely linked with Robertson during forward runs. Substituted at the break.

Subs not used: Giorgi Mamardashvili (GK), Trey Nyoni, Wataru Endo, Rio Ngumoha.

Sunderland (4-4-2)

Starting XI: Robin Roefs; Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Reinildo; Trai Hume, Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Chemsdine Talbi; Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey.

Subs used: Wilson Isidor, Lutsharel Geertruida, Luke O'Nien.

Player of the Match: Robin Roefs (Sunderland)

Liverpool Player of the Match: Ryan Gravenberch

Liverpool 1–1 Sunderland: How It Unfolded at Anfield

Arne Slot decided against restoring Salah to his starting lineup during the week, having given the Egyptian zero playing time in the 2–0 triumph at West Ham on Sunday. Many questioned whether Liverpool's recent halt to their decline would prove temporary, or mark the beginning of a Reds revival, given the Hammers' passive performance at home.

Sunderland have secured victory at Stamford Bridge this season, and are currently on course to be among the most successful newly promoted teams in Premier League history. Régis Le Bris adjusted his approach slightly at Anfield, implementing a 4-4-2 formation, and the Black Cats certainly played with confidence that they could achieve their first win at Liverpool since 1983.

The Reds were uninspiring in the early stages, and failed to improve as the first half progressed. Florian Wirtz nearly scored his first Premier League goal somewhat fortunately when he broke through, while Dominik Szoboszlai tested Robin Roefs' hands from long range.

Sunderland, however, found success playing through what was frequently a Liverpool press that appeared disjointed and lackadaisical. Nevertheless, they struggled to create clear opportunities despite controlling the first half tempo. An ambitious Trai Hume strike forced an unusual save onto the crossbar from Alisson, and they troubled the hosts repeatedly from dead-ball situations before the break.

Liverpool's absence of width and predictable possession patterns made them simple to contain, and Salah's halftime introduction was unsurprising. Changes were necessary.

The substitution modified their pressing approach and enabled more aggressive defending, while Salah could link with Szoboszlai on the right, finally creating some quality possession moments.

Yet it was Sunderland who nearly broke the deadlock through an Omar Alderete header that grazed the post, and they soon punished Liverpool for the type of poor performance that has characterized their title defense thus far.

Chemsdine Talbi, Chelsea's match-winner in October, found the net with a long-range effort that deflected off Virgil van Dijk, leaving Alisson helpless and fishing the ball from his goal.

The Reds were therefore forced to chase the game again, having failed to win when trailing in the Premier League all season. They pressed without much success, but then Slot's team created a moment. Substitute Curtis Jones initiated it by winning possession high up the field, and some skillful footwork from Wirtz opened the opportunity. His shot beat Roefs, but Nordi Mukiele's deflection was considered significant enough to deny the German his first Liverpool goal and credit it as an own goal instead.

The Anfield crowd didn't mind, though. The equalizer created a frantic finish with Liverpool seeking the winner. They appeared ready to craft the decisive moment, but it was actually the resilient Black Cats who came nearest to claiming victory with an outstanding counter-attack sparked by a precise Roefs pass, which found Wilson Isidor racing clear.

Isidor rounded Alisson and seemed certain to score, but Federico Chiesa's heroic effort and intervention denied the striker's finish from securing Sunderland's win.

Liverpool vs. Sunderland Half Time Stats

Liverpool vs. Sunderland Full Time Stats