Arne Slot admitted he was frustrated to see Liverpool drop points at home against Sunderland and acknowledged that visiting teams are now approaching Anfield with confidence.
The Reds needed a late Nordi Mukiele own goal to secure a 1-1 draw against the Black Cats.
The result left Liverpool in eighth place in the Premier League. While they avoided a 10th defeat in their last 14 matches, the Reds have managed just two wins in their last seven home games.
Speaking after the final whistle, Arne Slot dismissed claims that Anfield is losing its “fear factor,” insisting that his side deserved at least a point on another frustrating night.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
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