Arne Slot has insisted Anfield isn't losing its 'fear factor' despite Liverpool's failure to beat Sunderland in Wednesday night's Premier League clash.
The Reds have endured a wretched campaign so far and, last night, dropped more points in their mission to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Sunderland were on course for another big scalp, having already beaten Chelsea this term, with Chemsdine Talbi opening the scoring in the 67th minute.
But Liverpool managed to earn a draw, with Florian Wirtz's strike deflecting off Nordi Mukiele.
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It was, however, another night where Liverpool's shortcomings were exposed. They sit eighth in the league table, having won just seven of their first 14 games, and teams seem to sniff blood every time they step out onto the field.
Slot, speaking afterwards, was asked if Anfield was losing its 'fear factor'.
But the Liverpool boss insisted that wasn't the case, while also insisting that a point was the least his side deserved.
“No, not Anfield for sure,” the Reds head coach said. “But it is clear that teams who play us now think they can get a result.
Five things to know about Liverpool boss Arne Slot
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Arne Slot has insisted Anfield isn't losing its 'fear factor' despite Liverpool's failure to beat Sunderland in Wednesday night's Premier League clash
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“Not only think because it’s been shown this season. Even in the games we’ve won, I think they also fuelled the confidence for other teams because they think there is something possible because the wins we had at the beginning of the season weren’t easy ones as well.
“I feel a bit of both (pleased and frustrated). I knew before the game, when you play Sunderland, from their 14 games they have played now they only conceded more than one goal four times and in these four games they have only conceded two.
“So it is hard team to score against. It is a hard team to create chances against.
“They either go really aggressive in a high press or they have 11 players who defend their box with their lives. That’s why it’s so difficult to create.
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Sunderland went ahead against Liverpool in Wednesday night's Premier League clash
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“In that aspect I was hoping for more but I knew how difficult it is to create against them. We have hardly conceded the first big chance.
“I don’t count the one that hit the bar because that was not a chance, but the first was from a set piece that hit the post. And then their goal is not even a chance.
“If that is a chance we have had 20 chances tonight but unfortunately a deflection led to us going 1-0 down.
“In recent games we have found it really hard to get an equaliser although we had our chances every time.
“Today we have had a bit of luck with scoring 1-1 because it was also a deflection. For me it’s different because that is a shot from eight, nine yards, 10 so that is a serious chance.
“A shot from 20 yards isn’t a serious chance. An opportunity but not a serious chance.”
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, meanwhile, reacted by saying: "We started well and exactly how the game plan expected.
"We were even a bit surprised to be dominant during the first half.
Florian Wirtz's deflected strike saved Liverpool on Wednesday night
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"The second half, we had spoken at half-time that this wasn't a surprise. We can play like that and we had to try and score, which was the case.
"After that, many talented players came on the pitch [for Liverpool] and they pushed. The crowd was noisy as well so it is normal to suffer a bit. We had the Isodor chance that he missed, but it is still a good point."
He added: "We are playing our game and we believe it is possible to win anywhere. We showed the character in the squad.
"We showed the character in the squad.
"Liverpool has the ability to create chances. We had our opportunity to win, but it wasn't enough today to get the three points. They pushed us.
"It's good for our fans as well because they pushed a lot and they were very noisy in the stadium today. In three days, we will have a really tough game."