Arne Slot believes this has been the toughest season of his career "by a mile" as his Liverpool side prepare to take on Sunderland on Wednesday.
The Reds suffered their eighth loss of the Premier League season on Sunday, when they fell to a late 2-1 defeat against Manchester City at Anfield.
The reigning champions sit sixth in the English top flight, five points off the top four, and they have won just once in the competition in 2026 (D4 L2).
Though Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League games against promoted sides (W14 D5), they have drawn each of the last four. They last went five without a win against promoted teams between January and October 1981 (D3 L2).
Ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light, Slot gave an early assessment of Liverpool's 2025-26 campaign.
"That is fair to say [this is the toughest season I have had], by a mile," said Slot when asked if it had been a tough campaign.
"All of the other seasons I have managed, there were only positives. I don't think I had ever lost two games in a row.
"It's an exception for me this season and it is for the players, too. They are not used to losing a lot or having a lot of draws. I am not used to that either.
"It's always more of a challenge after you lose a game of football to get them going again, and after a win, to tell them that we are not as good as they might think they are, so this season has been more challenging for me as well.
"You also take nice things out of it, though that may sound weird. I also look at how much improvement we are making.
"As a manager, we are always looking for results, but it is also important the players and the team improve, because if that doesn't happen, we would have an even bigger problem over here."
Next up, a trip to Sunderland #SUNLIV pic.twitter.com/sBjKIhSzrb
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 9, 2026
Although Sunderland have conceded six goals across their last two away games, they pose a much stronger threat at home.
The Black Cats are unbeaten in all 12 of their Premier League home games this season (W7 D5).
It is the longest run by a promoted side from the start of a top-flight season since 1977-78, when Nottingham Forest remained unbeaten in all 21 en route to winning the title.
"It is another good opportunity to win three points. We know the level of the opponent is high. It’s important for us to be brave and ambitious and use the energy from the crowd to generate and sustain momentum," said Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris.
"So far, we have been really good at home, but the next challenge is always the toughest. Liverpool are really good and will be very strong.
"We know that we have built strong foundations, but it is always a reset. Bouncing back from the last game will be a tough challenge, but we will be ready."
RLB on returning to the SoL:
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 10, 2026
'We will play on the front foot. We use the energy from the supporters. This will be another tough game, but at the Stadium of Light, three points are always possible...' pic.twitter.com/7jQOSiRLmN
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sunderland – Chemsdine Talbi
Talbi was on target for Sunderland in their 1-1 draw at Anfield in the reverse fixture, while he also scored in their most recent win over Burnley.
The last player to score for the Black Cats in both league meetings with Liverpool in a season was Stan Cummins in 1980-81.
Liverpool – Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike is Liverpool's top scorer in the Premier League this season, finding the back of the net 10 times in 22 matches.
With Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds' goalscorer against City, suspended, there will be more onus on the Frenchman to provide a threat.
MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN
Sunderland are winless in their last 11 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5 L6) since a 1-0 home win in March 2012 thanks to a Nicklas Bendtner goal.
All three of Liverpool’s Premier League defeats to Sunderland have come away from home, though they are unbeaten in their last five visits to the Stadium of Light (W3 D2).
And the Black Cats have scored just 19 goals in 33 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (0.6 per game). Of all teams to face an opponent 30+ times, only Middlesbrough (0.5 vs Chelsea) have a lower goals-per-game average.
However, having won their first two away league games this season, Liverpool have since won just two of their last 10 on the road (D3 L5). They have also conceded 21 goals away from home this term, more than bottom side Wolves (20).
Sunderland, meanwhile, have won three of their last five Premier League home games against the reigning champions (L2), including the last two against Chelsea (May 2016) and Leicester City (December 2016).
Only six teams have ever won three or more in a row, most recently Chelsea between 2016 and 2020.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Sunderland – 24.7%
Draw – 23.0%
Liverpool – 52.3%