‘What Granit Xhaka did vs Liverpool was crazy, I don’t recognise my club anymore’
Jermaine Pennant was stunned by Liverpool’s performance against Sunderland on Wednesday night.
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Sunderland at Anfield, with the Reds unable to capitalise on last week’s encouraging win over West Ham.
Chemsdine Talbi had put the visitors ahead in the second half, with Florian Wirtz forcing Nordi Mukiele into an own-goal to level the scores in the 81st minute.
Cody Gakpo was slammed for his performance against Sunderland, with the winger hooked at half time after a dismal display.
Liverpool will take on Leeds United on Saturday, with Arne Slot hoping to provoke a reaction out of his players.
Liverpool are lacking ‘the basic fundamentals’
Slot is under serious pressure at Liverpool, with decision-makers at Anfield set to give the Dutchman until the end of the year to steady the ship.
The Reds waltzed to the Premier League title in the former Feyenoord manager’s first season, but have looked a shadow of the title-winning team.
Slot’s side have already lost six games in the league, and trail league leaders Arsenal by 11 points despite beating them earlier in the season.
On another day, Liverpool may well have beaten Sunderland, but it was yet another lacklustre display at home.
Former Liverpool winger Pennant told talkSPORT on Thursday: “Honestly, I can’t recognise my team anymore. What I’ve watched under Klopp, what I watched last season and what I’m seeing now is night and day.
“I really can’t recognise the style where it’s gone, how it’s dropped off so much. It’s not as if we’ve had massive changes of players. Yes we’ve lost some key players but we bought in some great talent as well.
“It’s just the basic fundamentals of pressing, of winning the ball back. Not letting other teams have time and space to hurt you. Especially at Anfield.
“I watched yesterday, seeing Sunderland, seeing Xhaka just turn in the middle and get space, no one press. It’s crazy!”
Arne Slot could be sacked by Christmas
Liverpool’s trip to Elland Road became a much harsher prospect on Wednesday when Leeds beat Chelsea 3-1.
Daniel Farke‘s side responded to the pressure the German finds himself under, and Slot will hope his team can do similar.
| Liverpool – fixtures | Date |
| Leeds United (A) | 6 Dec |
| Inter Milan (A) | 9 Dec |
| Brighton (H) | 13 Dec |
| Tottenham (A) | 20 De |
The Reds will then face a difficult trip to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League next week, before clashes against Brighton and Tottenham take Liverpool through to Christmas.
Whether Slot remains in the dugout at Anfield for the visit of Wolves two days after Christmas Day will depend on the coming weeks.