English Premier League: Arne Slot admits Liverpool have lost their fear factor

Liverpool’s Alexander Isak (left) and Virgil van Dijk appear dejected after conceding a goal to Sunderland on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images

Manager Arne Slot conceded his Liverpool side have lost their fear factor during a miserable run as Sunderland emerged with a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday.

The English Premier League (EPL) champions have now failed to win in three consecutive home games and needed a Nordi Mukiele own goal (83rd min) to rescue a point against the Black Cats after Chemsdine Talbi's deflected strike opened the scoring (67th min).

Since winning their opening five league games of the season, Liverpool have won just two of their last nine. "Teams that play us now think they can get a result because that has been shown this season. Even the games we have won, we have fuelled confidence in other teams that [a good result] is possible because the wins we had weren't easy ones as well," said a disappointed Slot.

Arne Slot

Any hope that a corner had been turned in Sunday's 2-0 victory at West Ham was quickly dispelled for Slot. Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for the second consecutive game, but Wirtz and Alexander Isak again failed to deliver.

"I knew Sunderland is a hard team to score against, and create chances against. [We] 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," lamented Slot.

Meanwhile, league leaders Arsenal eased to a 2-0 win over Brentford. Mikel Merino opened the scoring (11th min), with Bukayo Saka adding further gloss to the scoreline in injury time.

In the injury-enforced absence of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, Merino - a midfielder by trade - has bagged four goals and three assists across all competitions when playing as a no. 9. His value to the team has not gone amiss, with Arteta showering praise on the Spaniard. "It's unbelievable what he has done. Not only the goal, but also his movement, his work-rate. It's phenomenal," Arteta said.

8th
Liverpool's current position in the EPL table

Liverpool's last nine EPL results

Draw 1-1 vs Sunderland
Win 2-0 vs West Ham
Loss 0-3 vs Notts Forest
Loss 0-3 vs Man City
Win 2-0 vs Aston Villa
Loss 2-3 vs Brentford
Loss 1-2 vs Man Utd
Loss 1-2 vs Chelsea
Loss 1-2 vs Crystal Palace

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