Match Preview for Sunderland v Liverpool
Arne Slot is hoping for a change in luck against the Black Cats tomorrow night as Liverpool visit Sunderland.
The defending champions have endured an underwhelming season and Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City means they head to Wearside in sixth position in the Premier League table.
Like many clubs, Liverpool have been hit with injury problems this term, particularly at right-back, and Dutchman Slot feels Lady Luck has rarely been with his side.
“It feels like that, that is for sure,” he said, pointing out even new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who will join the club in the summer, has suffered a serious injury. “Even if we sign a player and he’s not even playing for us, he gets injured.
“But the moment you think it’s just bad luck then it comes to you as well. So we need to keep away from that and focus on improving performances.
“The amount of times we are conceding late on is more than usual, so what’s the reason for that? I can definitely say we haven’t been lucky, that is true. But is it bad luck or who we are? We will find out over the rest of the season.”
Liverpool cannot blame misfortune for squandering a late lead against City, Pep Guardiola’s side scoring an injury-time winner through Erling Haaland to win 2-1 at Anfield.
And Slot conceded his side have failed to hit the heights they did last season when they won the title in his first season in charge.
He said: “I don’t think we feel we’ve only lost two of the last 17. A draw feels like a loss.
“The players know what the standards of Liverpool mean and we aren’t performing to those standards. They feel that disappointment. Every game we feel we are going to win it and too often it doesn’t happen. That’s more difficult than if you play a whole game where you feel you just aren’t good enough.
“The players feel they can compete with any team in the world but the reality is we don’t perform to Liverpool standards.”
They are unlikely to find things easy at the Stadium of Light with ninth-placed Sunderland possessing the last unbeaten home record in the top flight.
Regis Le Bris’ side have been one of the surprise packages of the season following promotion although they were well beaten at Arsenal on Saturday.
“Sunderland have had a very good season, and their record at home is very good as well and they’ve already played City and Arsenal at home,” said Slot. “It’s definitely an accomplishment if you come up to the Premier League and do as well as they have.”
Team News for Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland will again be without midfielder Granit Xhaka due to an ankle injury. Bertrand Traore (knee) remains sidelined.
Lutsharel Geertruida, who almost joined Liverpool during the January window, and new signing Nilson Angulo are pushing for starts.
Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai, who was sent-off late on against City. Curtis Jones could deputise at right-back. Joe Gomez has resumed training after a hip injury but this game could come too soon.
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