Liverpool v Sunderland - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

Liverpool v Sunderland A Liverpool Perspective



Another terrible performance by the Reds, despite periods dominating possession they offered very little in attack and seemed content to roll it around at the back. When they did look to move it forward quickly, they looked a lot better. It was also worrying how badly they struggled to cope with Sunderland's press at times. The players look so slow and unfit and unable to lift themselves against an energetic opponent like the Mackems. It is really worrying how they only really begin to play when they are losing and even then half the time they still stick with the slow rolling around of the ball between the defenders.

Seeing them up against an all-energy, aggressive, high-pressing side like Sunderland made me hanker back to the old days when Jurgen Klopp rolled into town and made Liverpool incredibly entertaining to watch. It does make you wonder why Liverpool can no longer play like that, to be on the front foot, instead of sitting back and waiting. It worked brilliantly against Aston Villa and Real Madrid and then got put aside again. That would be fine if Slot's way of playing produced the results, but it is not and this turgid football is going to cost him his job if he is not careful.



Sunderland


The Mackems were excellent, they sat back when they needed to and soaked up pressure, but when the chance came they were very aggressive, pressing high and getting right in the faces of all the Liverpool players. They were helped by the lack of pace to Liverpool's ball movement, but they pretty much smothered Liverpool with their workrate being much better and their desire was so much more than their opposite numbers. They did have a few moments when they could well have conceded, Wirtz being unlucky with a ricochet off him going the wrong side of the post for example, but they defended well and worked hard. It was a well-deserved and well-earnt point.

It must be said though, their time-wasting, pretending to be injured, is a real issue this season in the Premier League. Teams are getting away with it, the only people who are losing out are the fans, who are paying to watch 90 minutes of football but are getting 10 minutes a game of players pretending to have injuries, particularly keepers, to stop the play.



Liverpool


Alisson - had no chance with the goal, the deflection completely wrong-footed him, but he had a poor game as his kicking was completely off.


Gomez - decent game, not the best crosses, but there needs to be more effort from the forwards to at least try and get into dangerous areas for the ball to be delivered into.


Konate - another disaster from Konate. He very nearly got an assist for his dreadful attempt to deal with a ball which just led to him knocking behind himself and to Brobbey to run clear. He was lucky Brobbey made an absolute mess of it.


van Dijk - dreadful performance overall from the skipper, which was summed up by him giving the ball away and then turning his back on the subsequent shot, which deflected in off his backside. His form this season is deteriorating at an alarming rate.


Robertson - poor game, his combative nature should have suited the match but he is so off the pace these days that he failed to impact the game.


Mac Allister - a much improved showing from the Argentine. Actually got stuck in and fought for the ball, rather than his usual tuck and roll on the floor when anyone is near him. Came close to opening the scoring as well.


Gravenberch - a few good moments, but needs to impose himself more in games like this. There is more to come from him, as we saw last season.


Szoboszlai - finally started shooting more! Need more of that from him, it will not always come off, but it draws out packed defences to block potential shots, which can open up spaces in behind for passes.


Wirtz - good again, the best attacking player on the pitch in the first half, but he needed more help from those around him. Isak's lack of movement is a real problem, it removes a passing option from the board for him. He was unlucky not to end the night with his first and second Liverpool goal, but you can see it is coming.


Gakpo - it was little surprise he was brought off at half-time as he had little impact on the match.


Isak - astonishing he lasted so long on the pitch, he was, again, hopeless. His lack of effort and sluggish movement (or lack of any most of the time) is really hampering Liverpool. If he is not fit, get him fit on the training ground, not in matches. He is more of a hindrance than a help right now.


Salah - replaced Gakpo at half-time. Brought energy and desire, which really lifted Liverpool. It was much needed but he never got enough of the ball.


Jones - came in for Gomez in the 65th minute. Played at right-back and looked like what he was - out of position.


Ekitike - took the place of Mac Allister in the 74th minute. Dropped off too deep and drifted to the left too much, when he should have been looking to get in the box and scoring.


Chiesa - replaced Isak in the 86th minute. Probably saved Slot's job with his lung bursting run back to clear the ball, almost off the line, after Sunderland broke on Liverpool from a corner and Chiesa was last man. His desire to do whatever it took to prevent a goal was clear. The cult of Chiesa is growing. He really has earnt more time on the pitch but never gets it.


Kerkez - brought on in the stead of Roberton, also in the 86th minute. Never really got involved enough.

Written by Tris Burke December 05 2025 06:18:08