Regis Le Bris claims Sunderland players were ‘surprised’ by Liverpool tactic after Anfield draw

Regis Le Bris claims Sunderland players were ‘surprised’ by Liverpool tactic after Anfield draw Chris Davie Published December 4, 2025 12:21am Updated December 4, 2025 12:21am Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Regis Le Bris says his Sunderland players were ‘surprised they had time and space’ against Liverpool (Reuters)

Regis Le Bris admits his Sunderland players were ‘surprised’ by Liverpool’s lack of pressing in their 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday night.

After a goalless first half, Chemsdine Talbi put Sunderland ahead in the 67th minute after his strike took a flick off Virgil van Dijk, who had given the ball away moments before the goal.

Liverpool equalised through neat individual play from Florian Wirtz, whose effort was deflected into the net by Nordi Mukiele with nine minutes remaining.

The draw leaves Liverpool eighth in the Premier League and Slot will now face further questions over his side’s lack of cutting edge at Anfield.

‘We had this opportunity to score the second goal but it’s a good result for both teams,’ Le Bris said.

Get your football fix

Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts sent straight to your inbox – sign up, it's an open goal.

‘We started well, the first half was interesting with and without the ball. Probably we didn’t believe enough that it was possible to score and we did it in the beginning of the second half.

Liverpool looked unconvincing once again in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland (Getty)

‘I think we were even a bit surprised to have time and space to build up the play and probably they didn’t expect to be at that level.

‘We spoke about this final third and the way it was possible to disturb their back line. We expected Salah as well to come on the pitch and to change a bit the dynamics, so we are prepared.’

Arne Slot, meanwhile, believes Liverpool have given opponents confidence to attack at Anfield due to their poor run of form this season.

When asked if Anfield is losing its fear factor, Slot replied: ‘No, not Anfield, for sure.

Liverpool fixtures in December

Leeds United (A) | Premier League | December 6

Inter (A) | Champions League | December 9

Brighton (H) | Premier League | December 13

Tottenham (A) | Premier League | December 20

Wolves (H) | Premier League | December 27

‘But it’s clear that teams that play us now think they can get a result. Not only think, because that has been shown this season.

More Trending

1. 

   Man Utd put 'struggling' £50m player up for sale ahead of January transfer window

   Channel: Football Football 13 hours ago By Liam Grace
2. Pep Guardiola makes Chelsea title race claim after Man City avoid Fulham scare
3. Arsenal 2-0 Brentford: Gunners go five points clear again with Bukayo Saka on target
4. Arsenal 'seriously consider' bid for £61m star as Mikel Arteta blocks January exit

‘And even in the games we’ve won, they also fuelled the confidence for other teams like, ‘hmm, something is possible’ because the wins we had at the beginning of the season weren’t easy ones as well.

‘I don’t completely agree with you that they grew into the game because I think throughout the whole second half there was only one team that had the ball and only one team that was playing on one half. But yeah, if they got a free-kick off the referee or they had a goal-kick, they could bring it to our half with a long ball. And we had to defend three or four times a set-piece and a throw-in and a corner kick.

‘And of course, that is a danger with them because they have shown this season that they are a threat in set-pieces. The good thing for us is we didn’t concede from a set-piece. Maybe as a result, we got at least a point.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Enzo Maresca explains why Estevao was hauled off for second game in a row vs Leeds

Arrow MORE: Emmanuel Petit ‘worried’ for Arsenal duo after double injury blow against Brentford

Arrow MORE: Emi Martinez injury update issued ahead of Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The Mixer

Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.

Team Expand Options ?

Let us know which team you support. Close

Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy