Arne Slot claims Liverpool outplayed in only 'three halves' of Premier League football this season - 'That is credit to the players'

Liverpool may be enduring a difficult defence of their Premier League crown but head coach Arne Slot believes that his side have only been outperformed in three halves of football in the league this term. The Reds, who are sixth before the midweek fixtures, will hope to return to winning ways against Sunderland on Wednesday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Arne Slot has said Liverpool have only been outclassed in three halves of football this season despite their disappointing campaign, while the players still feel "they can compete with any other team."

Following defeat against Manchester City on Sunday, Liverpool have now won just one of their past seven Premier League games, leaving them in sixth and 17 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

But the head coach believes their performances have warranted more, with only three halves of different away games standing out as situations when they have clearly not been the better side.

Transfers

Man Utd call off £39m Ederson transfer, MLS club leads Salah race - Paper Round

11/07/2026 at 08:53

Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Slot said: "I have to give a lot of credit to my players because we have had so many setbacks or hits. 

"So many times we haven't got what we deserve, but every three days they show up again and brought in a good performance.

"That doesn't always lead to a win, but I have said many times I think there are only three halves this season where the other team were far better than us. 

"That was Crystal Palace, Man City and maybe Arsenal away in the first half, but that was part of the first half. That is credit to the players because they have had many, many, many setbacks this season."

Highlights: Wirtz shines as Liverpool claim crucial win against Newcastle

Video credit: TNT Sports

Liverpool survived the difficult opening period at Emirates Stadium to come away with a point, but they were beaten at both Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

Despite their lack of wins in the league since the turn of the year, the Reds have not been losing a great deal either, though they were plagued by draws at the start of January.

But Slot and his players understand that any kind of points dropped is an indication of underperformance at a club of Liverpool's stature.

"A draw feels like a loss at this club," Slot said. "That's definitely not easy for players… We are not performing to the standards of Liverpool at the moment and they feel that disappointment.

"Mainly because we are so close every single game. Every game it feels as though we are going to win it, but it doesn't happen. 

"And that is probably more difficult than when you play a game and, throughout the whole game, you feel like the other team is better and you're just not good enough.

"But that's not what they feel. They feel performance-wise that they can compete with any other team in any league in the world. But reality is that we don't perform to Liverpool standards."

Slot reflects on Man City defeat with 'anger and disappointment'

Video credit: SNTV

Slot had a dream start to his Liverpool career, winning the league in his first season after being given the difficult task of replacing Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds also topped the league phase of the Champions League last season before going out to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

But they have already lost twice as many games in the league this term as they did last season, while two of their four defeats in the 2024/25 campaign came after they had wrapped up the title. 

Liverpool’s volatile form has even led to calls from certain sections of the fanbase for Slot to be sacked, and the Dutchman thinks that it has been the toughest season he has had in management "by a mile."

"All of the other seasons I have managed there were only positives. I don't think I have ever lost two games in a row", Slot said. 

"It's an exception for me this season and it is for the players. They are not used to losing a lot or having a lot of draws. I am not used to that either."

When is Sunderland v Liverpool?

Sunderland will welcome defending Premier League champions Liverpool to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, February 11.

Kick-off is at 20:15 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+ starting from 19:00.

How to watch Sunderland v Liverpool

Sunderland v Liverpool will be live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder.

For the latest information on which football matches are on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide. And for the full Premier League schedule, click here.

Transfers

Slot emerges as leading candidate for national team job - Euro Transfer News

06/07/2026 at 17:05

Premier League

Maresca promises to 'maintain' Guardiola's style of football at Man City

29/06/2026 at 19:13