Carragher: Liverpool took a step back against Sunderland, and it's worrying

Jamie Carragher called Liverpool's performance in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland "really, really worrying".

Out-of-sorts Liverpool needed a Nordi Mukiele own goal to rescue a fortunate 1-1 draw at Anfield.

The plucky visitors were on course for their first win at Anfield for 42 years before Florian Wirtz struck, thinking he had scored his first Premier League goal to draw his below-par side level, only for the strike to be latterly accredited to Mukiele.

Since sealing the title with a 5-1 win over Tottenham at the end of April, Liverpool have taken just 23 points from 18 games and have won just three of their last 14 games in all competitions.

Carragher, who was on co-commentary, said: "The performance was really, really worrying. It feels like a step back. They didn't look like scoring. They were lacking zip, energy, pace and power. It's really worrying."

On Sunderland's opening goal, Carragher said: "Liverpool have been awful. Sunderland have been so much sharper. Virgil van Dijk turns his back. That goal sums up Liverpool in this game."

And, on their first half performance, he said: "Liverpool have been awful. They are sleepwalking through the game, everything feels so slow. Liverpool need to get organised for the second half, there's far too much space all over the pitch."

'Slot doesn't know his best team'

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge speaking on Sky Sports:

"The manager doesn't know his best XI. Players are coming in and finding their fitness, Wirtz and Isak. The players are trying to find their rhythm and the manager is seeking confidence and assurances. Today was the first time I've noticed that the manager has changed what he would typically do. They've got to make a decision on what the structure is and roll with it."