Liverpool’s disastrous run within the Premier League this season has proven no indicators of coming to an finish in current weeks, with the displaying towards Sunderland as soon as once more highlighting their frailties.
Arne Slot’s males have been solely capable of safe a degree towards the newly promoted outfit at Anfield, one thing which might have been a loopy assertion throughout the title-winning season.
The drop-off has been astronomical from this time final season, with the Reds now already sitting 11 factors off the summit regardless of enjoying simply 14 league matches.
Wednesday’s conflict towards the Black Cats additional showcased the inventive struggles inside Slot’s aspect, with Florian Wirtz’s deflected effort simply one among 4 pictures heading in the right direction throughout the 90-minute show.
The performances of quite a few Reds gamers little doubt contributed to the failure to safe all three factors on Merseyside for the third straight residence league outing.
Liverpool’s poor performers towards Sunderland
Throughout Wednesday’s draw with the Black Cats, winger Cody Gakpo had yet one more efficiency to neglect, together with his lack of affect leading to a half-time withdrawal.
The Dutchman solely managed to finish a complete of seven passes towards Regis Le Bris’ males, with none of his being made into the ultimate third – subsequently highlighting his lack of creativity in attacking areas.
The 26-year-old was additionally solely capable of register a singular effort on objective, nevertheless it didn’t bother the opposition goalkeeper – together with his substitution on the break definitely warranted.
Joe Gomez was as soon as once more requested to function in an unnatural right-back function because of the accidents to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, however he was massively dominated by the guests previous to his substitution.
The Englishman entered 9 duels throughout his 65-minute displaying, however solely managed to return out on high in one among them, leading to a measly 11% success charge.
He additionally obtained dribbled previous twice while additionally solely finishing 20% of the crosses he tried, highlighting how lacklustre at each ends of the pitch on Merseyside.
Liverpool star is changing into a giant drawback
The decline of Liverpool in 2025/26 is definitely one thing to behold, particularly after profitable the Premier League title below Slot not even seven months in the past.
After securing the membership’s Premier League title, the Dutchman spent £440m inside the switch market throughout the summer season, however quite a few of the big-money additions have to this point didn’t ship.
Wirtz’s effort ultimately went down as a Nordi Mukiele personal objective, which has prolonged his goalless run, with the German now and not using a objective in any of his 13 league outings this marketing campaign.
Milos Kerkez has struggled to dislodge Andy Robertson from the beginning left-back function, whereas Frimpong has struggled with accidents and has subsequently been restricted to simply 4 league outings.
Alexander Isak was the costliest of the summer season arrivals, because the Swedish worldwide joined the membership in an English-record £125m switch from Newcastle United.
He little doubt arrived at Anfield with excessive expectations given such a switch payment, but additionally on account of his objective tally, which noticed him web 23 league targets final marketing campaign.
The striker’s spell on Merseyside up to now has been nothing in need of a catastrophe, with the 26-year-old scoring his first league objective at West Ham United final weekend on the sixth time of asking.
Because of this, Isak was handed one other begin towards Sunderland final night time, however he was as soon as once more unable to ship regardless of the religion proven in him by the supervisor.
He featured for 86 minutes of the competition, however may solely full a measly tally of two passes, while additionally dropping possession of the ball on three separate events.
Alexander Isak – stats towards Sunderland
Statistics
Tally
Minutes performed
86
Touches
14
Passes accomplished
2
Possession misplaced
3x
Duels received
1
Pictures heading in the right direction
0
Touches in opposition field
2
Probabilities created
0
Stats by way of FotMob
The Swede was largely dominated by the opposition at Anfield, as proven by his duels received tally, with the ahead profitable only one out of a potential six battles that he entered.
He was as soon as once more unable to register a shot heading in the right direction, while managing simply two touches within the opposition field – subsequently unable to get on the scoresheet as soon as once more.
To high off his disappointing show, Isak solely registered a complete of 14 touches on Merseyside, a tally fewer than goalkeeper Alisson, who managed to notch a complete of 34.
Because of his displaying towards the Black Cats, the striker was handed a measly 5/10 match ranking by the Liverpool Echo, additional showcasing his struggles after his big-money transfer.
After such a displaying, there’s little doubt that Slot should drop the ahead on the weekend, with Hugo Ekitiké needing the possibility to begin on the high finish of the pitch once more.
Only one objective in his first seven league video games is nothing in need of embarrassing, with the report addition desperately needing to seek out kind to kickstart his Reds profession.

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