Arne Slot Admits Liverpool Have Lost Their Fear Factor After Sunderland Draw

Liverpool's inconsistent form continues as they drop points to Sunderland, with Arne Slot conceding his team has lost their fear factor.

“I knew before the game that Sunderland is a hard team to score against, hard team to create chances against...”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted that his team has lost their fear factor after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Anfield. The Premier League champions have now gone three consecutive home games without a win, and it was only a Nordi Mukiele own goal that rescued a point for Liverpool.

Slot conceded that teams now have confidence coming to Anfield, saying, “Teams that play us now think they can get a result. Not only think because that has been shown this season.” He added that even Liverpool's wins haven't been convincing, fueling opponents' confidence.

The draw was a setback for Liverpool, who had won their opening five league games but have now won just two of their last nine. Sunderland's defensive display was impressive, and they were unlucky not to win, with Wilson Isidor's late shot cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa.

Sunderland looked set to secure their first win at Anfield since 1983, thanks to Chemsdine Talbi's deflected strike that opened the scoring. However, Liverpool equalized when Nordi Mukiele inadvertently deflected Florian Wirtz's shot into his own net. The visitors had a chance to snatch all three points, but Wilson Isidor's shot was cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa in stoppage time.

Liverpool's form has been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last nine games, following a strong start to the season where they won their opening five league games.

“Teams that play us now think they can get a result,” said Slot. “Not only think because that has been shown this season.

“Even the games we have won, we have fuelled the confidence for other teams that something is possible because the wins we had weren't easy ones as well.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot's hopes of turning things around after Sunday's 2-0 win at West Ham were quickly dashed. Mohamed Salah, who was benched for the second consecutive game, struggled to make an impact even after being introduced at halftime against Sunderland's solid defense. Wirtz and Alexander Isak, who cost over £100 million, also failed to impress.

It ends level at Anfield. #LIVSUN pic.twitter.com/fZsGKzb6Ds

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 3, 2025

Sunderland's organized defense proved tough to break down, and Liverpool's attacking struggles continued. Slot had hoped that the win at West Ham would mark a turning point, but it seems the team's struggles persist.

“I knew before the game that Sunderland is a hard team to score against, hard team to create chances against,” added Slot.

“A game where we didn't concede a lot or create a lot and were really unlucky with the goal we conceded. It was a deflection and could have gone anywhere but in the period we are in, it went in.”