Arne Slot is undoubtedly staring down the barrel of a full-blown crisis ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland. Here’s a preview of what lies ahead for Liverpool and their manager.
A staggering collapse has left the reigning Premier League champions six points adrift of the top four. After Slot conceded that anything less than Champions League qualification would be a failure, the pressure, then, is well and truly on.
Their last-gasp defeat against Manchester City at Anfield was their eighth in the top-flight. This is already twice as many as their overall tally from last season.
Poor results and performances that have only occasionally papered over the widening cracks mean the Reds have it all to do. Especially as arch rivals Manchester United are finally finding their stride.
They can ill-afford to let more points slip through their fingers, having won only once in their last seven league matches. But the Stadium of Light cauldron represents a tricky, testing encounter. Indeed, it is one which may well decide the fate of Liverpool’s campaign.
Simply, nothing less than all three points will do. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash
How to watch:
The fixture will kick-off at 8:15pm GMT on Wednesday, February 11.
Viewers in the UK can tune in live via TNT Sports 1, with coverage underway at 7pm.
Livestream: TNT Sports subscribers can also watch the game live online. You can use the Sky Go app or Discovery+ app and website.
Recent Form
Sunderland:
The hosts are heading into their mid-February clash with Liverpool is the definition of a “mixed bag.” While they are coming off a heavy 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, their home form remains arguably the most impressive story of the Premier League season.
Under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats have turned the Stadium of Light into a fortress. They have remained unbeaten at home in 12 matches (7 wins, 5 draws).
This consistency has them sitting comfortably in 9th place with 36 points. As a result, they are effectively securing safety with a third of the season still to go.
However, recent away performances have highlighted a lack of goals and some defensive fragility. This has come specifically in losses to Arsenal and West Ham.
Despite the recent stumble in North London, the general mood remains high. This is as the club continues to over-deliver in its first season back in the top flight.
Liverpool:
Arne Slot side currently experiencing a bit of a rollercoaster as they head into tonight’s match against Sunderland. While they’ve shown flashes of brilliance,they are struggling with consistency and a growing list of late-game heartbreaks.
Liverpool currently sits in 6th place with 39 points. Their momentum took a major hit just three days ago in a dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester City at Anfield. Moreover, they conceded two goals in the final 10 minutes including a 93rd-minute Erling Haaland penalty.
They have become “late-goal victims.” And they have now conceded four 90th-minute winners this season, the most in the league, showing a real struggle to close out games. Captain Virgil van Dijk has also expressed his frustration at this after the defeat admitting that the tactical setup during the opening 45 minutes played directly into the visitors hands
Despite the losses, two summer signings are carrying the team right now:
- Hugo Ekitike: The striker is in lethal form with 15 goals this season, recently netting a brace against Newcastle.
- Florian Wirtz: The German playmaker has 6 goals in his last 10 games and is the creative heartbeat of Arne Slot’s system
Despite Liverpool’s eyebrow-raising wobbles this season, they boast the superior head-to-head record between these two clubs. The Reds have won 66 of the past 140 meetings, with Sunderland victorious in 41. There have also been 33 draws.
Sunderland: D L W L W L
Liverpool: D W L W W L
Team News
Sunderland: Granit Xhaka (Out),Bertrand Traore (Out) and Jocelin Ta Bi (Out)
Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai (Suspended),Jeremie Frimpong (thigh), Conor Bradley (knee),Joe Gomez (Doubt) Alexander Isak (Out) and Giovanni Leoni (Out)
Predicted Xl
Sunderland Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Diarra; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey
Liverpool Predicted Xl (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Managers have their say:
Le Brigis (Sunderland):
Le Bris urged Sunderland to show bravery and continue their strong form on home soil.
“It’s a good opportunity to win points once again,” said Le Bris. “The confidence is high at home because we probably are a bit more front-foot. It’s really important to be brave, ambitious and use this energy from the crowd to build momentum, sustain momentum.
“The challenge is hard because the level in the Premier League is absolutely fantastic. So it shows so far we were really good but the next challenge is the toughest.”
Arne Slot (Liverpool):
Liverpool head coach meanwhile, admits this campaign has been his most challenging in management.
“That is fair to say [this is the toughest season I have had] by a mile,” he said. “All of the other seasons I have managed there were only positives, I don’t think I have ever lost two games in a row. It’s an exception for me this season and it is for the players, they are not used to losing a lot or having a lot of draws. I am not used to that either.
“It’s always more of a challenge after you lose a game of football to get them going again and after a win tell them that we are not as good as they might think they are, so this season has been more challenging for me as well.”
