Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The 2025/2026 Premier League season's Week 14 match between Liverpool and Sunderland ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw at Anfield.
The match, which took place early on Thursday, December 4, 2025, shows the Reds once again failed to secure a comprehensive victory at Anfield.
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This draw drew intense scrutiny, given that Liverpool had fallen behind early on before being rescued by an own goal.
This inconsistent performance raised questions about the strategy and leadership of manager Arne Slot, who is now under immense pressure from fans and the media.
Not only the result, Slot's decision to bench star Mohamed Salah has also become a highlight among the fans.
Drama at Anfield: Liverpool Fail to Secure a Full Victory
The intense duel between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield produced a drama that kept the crowd on edge until the final whistle.
Sunderland managed to surprise the hosts by taking the lead in the 67th minute through Chemsdine Taibi's goal.
The goal came from a deflection that left goalkeeper Alisson Becker unable to anticipate the ball's direction.
Liverpool, who dominated possession, finally equalized in the 81st minute thanks to an own goal by Sunderland player, Nordi Mukiele.
The equalizer came from Florian Wirtz's shot, which deflected off Mukiele's leg and into the Sunderland goal.
Wirtz himself was named Man of the Match for his creativity in building attacks and his vital role in the goal.
Although Liverpool created more chances, the sharpness of their forward line, featuring players like Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai, proved a hindrance.
In injury time, Sunderland's Wilson Isidor nearly scored the winner, but his effort was thwarted by Federico Chiesa's goal-line clearance.
This draw, Liverpool's first of the 2025/2026 Premier League season, leaves them in eighth place with 22 points, while Sunderland is in sixth with 23 points.
Intense Pressure on Arne Slot
This draw against Sunderland significantly increased the pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
"A bit similar to the weekend, a game where we didn't concede a lot but we didn't create a lot. Of course, very unlucky with the goal we conceded, I liked our reaction afterwards. We tried everything to make the winner."
Slot stated that teams playing against Liverpool now feel they can get positive results, reflecting the loss of the Reds' former dominance.
Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports pundit, even said that Liverpool's performance this season is "worrying."
"The Liverpool performance was so worrying. It feels like a real step backwards after winning at West Ham. They didn't look like scoring a goal, I can't remember any big chances," he said.
"They are lacking energy, zip, pace and power. Really worrying."
Mohamed Salah Benched Controversy
Arne Slot's decision to bench Mohamed Salah for the second consecutive season in the Liverpool vs. Sunderland match sparked heated debate among netizens.
The Egyptian star was not included in the starting XI, leading to various speculations.
Some netizens argued that Liverpool's main problem lies not with Salah or any other individual player, but with Arne Slot's system, which they deemed ineffective.
However, the Dutch manager said that decision was made due to Mo Salah upcoming appearance in the AFCON.
“Mo Salah will travel for AFCON on December 15," Arne Slot said as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
“Of course a player is not happy if he's not starting but he was very supportive of his teammates. He's a top professional”.
Slot himself also admitted he felt uncomfortable benching a player as important as Salah, and would have preferred to see him score goals on the pitch.