Liverpool disappointed Anfield again, drawing Sunderland 1-1 on Wednesday and only managing a point off a Black Cats own goal.
MORE — Arne Slot reaction to draw
Granted Florian Wirtz’s dribble en route to Liverpool’s goal was classy, but his shot took a massive deflection to brand the equalizer a Nordi Mukiele own goal.
WATCH — Liverpool v Sunderland full match replay
Sunderland’s goal took a huge deflection as well but it’s Chemsdine Talbi’s goal on the score sheet and, quite frankly, the Black Cats will regret not retaking the lead on a late Wilson Isidor break that was denied by Federico Chiesa.
Liverpool stay eighth with 22 points, one fewer than sixth-place Sunderland.
The Reds slip to 1W-1D-2L in their last four home Premier League games, and they are 2W-1D-4L at Anfield in their last seven games across all competitions.
Reds in their own heads (especially Alexander Isak)
Perhaps we should speak about Sunderland’s latest gutsy performance of another well-designed Regis Le Bris game plan, but the story Wednesday is about Liverpool. They are shells of themselves. They could’ve won the game despite their lack of flow because of the immense talent in their squad but the performance still would’ve been underwhelming had Dominik Szoboszlai or Florian Wirtz managed another goal. Liverpool took 23 shots on their 68% possession but just four were on target and they accounted for just 1.46 xG. Alexander Isak broke his Premier League duck for Liverpool last game but it certainly didn’t open any floodgates. Isak managed just 14 touches over 86 minutes and might’ve been the Reds’ least influential player in the contest. He has one goal and one assist over 475 Premier League minutes since his massive move from Newcastle, and the time for reasons or excuses has long since passed for the Swede. He barely looks present, let alone the live wire player that earned comparisons to Thierry Henry while on Tyneside. Liverpool’s other big money buy, Florian Wirtz, has been much better after a slow start but still gets more grief than Isak. That probably ended Wednesday, and Liverpool need to find an Isak whisperer. Oddly enough, it may end up being Wirtz. (NM)
What’s next?
Liverpool go to Leeds United at 12:30pm ET Saturday, then return to the UEFA Champions League for a Tuesday visit to Inter Milan.
Sunderland visit Manchester City at 10am ET Saturday, then get eight days before the Wear-Tyne derby versus Newcastle.
Liverpool vs Sunderland final score: 1-1
Chemsdine Talbi 68', Nordi Mukiele o.g. 82'
Liverpool vs Sunderland live updates — by Nick Mendola
Chiesa the hero but at the other end!
Roefs’ long clearance sends Isidor 1v1 with Alisson, who can’t get the ball but does push the forward wide.
Isidor shoots from an odd angle but forward Federico Chiesa had tracked back to keep the ball from finding reaching the goal line.
Nordi Mukiele own goal — Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland
Szoboszlai presses Sunderland into a poor clearance, and Curtis Jones gets the ball back for Liverpool.
The Englishman finds Florian Wirtz, who shakes Reinildo and the sliding challenge of Dan Ballard but putting a deflected shot past Roefs.
It’s originally given as Wirtz’s goal but eventually is changed to a Nordi Mukiele own goal.
Still a nice dribble.
Sunderland sub
Lutsharel Geertruida, a former player of Slot’s in the Netherlands, takes the place of Enzo Le Fee.
Chemsdine Talbi goal — Liverpool 0-1 Sunderland
Virgil van Dijk gives the ball away cheaply and then backs off as Chemsdine Talbi weighs up a shot from distance.
The ball turns off Van Dijk’s rear end to leave Alisson Becker helpless.
Liverpool had been boring, and now they’re down at home.
Sunderland sub
Wilson Isidor will take the place of Brobbey in the 63rd minute.
Improved Reds still missing final ball
Salah has been bright and Szoboszlai remains busy, but the final third is still a bit dull.
There’s danger in the air, though. Anfield is grasping hope.
Enter Mohamed Salah
Halftime ends and, as we speculated, it’s time for Mohamed Salah.
He takes the place of Cody Gakpo.
Halftime — Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland
Anfield is loud but Liverpool have not been electric.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were bright but not enough to deliver a goal.
Salah time?
Quiet
Aside from a couple Florian Wirtz flourishes, there has been very little of note as the game nears halftime.
Frankly, the game could use some Mo Salah, whether in form or not.
Robin Roefs spared blushes
Sunderland’s star keeper gives a tight game its opening.
Ryan Gravenberch quickly takes down Robin Roefs’ pass out of the back and Florian Wirtz fights through a couple of challenges.
Wirtz’s shot from very close range is blocked by Roefs right back off the German and bounces out for a goal kick.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak.
Sunderland lineup
Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Talbi, Le Fee, Brobbey
Liverpool vs Sunderland preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Arne Slot made a big call for the trip to West Ham on Sunday as Mohamed Salah was left out, and it worked as Liverpool won 2-0 to end a run of six defeats from their last seven in the league. Now it’s all about building some consistency and making sure injuries calm down so they can push to be in the top four of the congested table over the festive period.
Sunderland sit one point above Liverpool in the table as Regis Le Bris’ side launched yet another stunning comeback on Saturday, this time to win 3-2 at home against Bournemouth after being 2-0 down. The Black Cats continue to be clinical and aggressive and a push for European qualification shouldn’t be out of reach for the new boys.
Liverpool team news, focus
Arne Slot has said both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are working their way back to full fitness and Bradley could be available at the weekend against Leeds. Slot has also spoken about managing the fitness of trio Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Joe Gomez as they all came in and had a big impact in the win at West Ham at the weekend. Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones could all be rotated into the lineup if needed. And all eyes will be on Salah to see if he starts, as Slot has confirmed he will head to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt on December 15.
Sunderland team news, focus
Le Bris has a very settled lineup but he knows Sunderland will lose more players than any other Premier League side to AFCON later this month which will have a big impact. Still, Granit Xhaka is running the show in midfield and drove them to victory after a tough start against Bournemouth at the weekend. Brian Brobbey is pushing for a start after scoring another key late goal, while playmaker Enzo Le Fee is so tricky to stop.
Liverpool vs Sunderland prediction
All signs point to Liverpool backing up their win at West Ham but this will be very tough. Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland.
How to watch Liverpool vs Sunderland live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3:15pm ET Wednesday (December 3)
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
