Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has openly admitted he derives no pleasure from the increasing dominance of set-pieces in the Premier League, despite his team recently capitalising on this tactical trend. In a candid assessment, Slot described the style as lacking joy for football purists, though he acknowledged it as the new reality of the modern game.
Slot's Personal Disdain for Set-Piece Reliance
Speaking after Liverpool's recent victory over West Ham, Slot revealed his personal distaste for the emphasis on set-pieces, which he sees as detracting from the sport's aesthetic appeal. "My football heart doesn't like it," he stated bluntly. "Now most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch."
This sentiment comes in stark contrast to his team's performance, where Liverpool became only the second side in Premier League history to score three first-half goals directly from corners during their win against West Ham. The pragmatic approach, involving balls whipped towards the goalkeeper, proved highly effective, yet Slot remains unconvinced by its broader impact on the league.
Comparing Premier League to Other Competitions
Slot highlighted a significant difference between the Premier League and other top European divisions, particularly the Eredivisie. "I think it is mainly here in the Premier League; if I watch other leagues I don't think there is so much emphasis on set-pieces," he explained.
He pointed to stricter officiating in the Netherlands, where goals are more frequently disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers are called. "Here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face the referee will say just go on," Slot remarked, underscoring the lenient approach in England that facilitates this style.
Accepting the New Reality of Football
Despite his personal reservations, Slot pragmatically accepted the trend as an inevitable part of contemporary football. "First of all you have to accept it," he said, noting the heightened competitiveness it brings to the Premier League.
He praised the league's unpredictable nature, where any team can defeat another, attributing this not only to set-pieces but also to the overall strengthening of squads. Large goal margins against lower-ranked sides have become rare, adding to the drama.
Slot even predicted this focus would trickle down to grassroots levels. "Maybe in five or 10 years' time things will change again but I wouldn't be surprised if you went to an under-16s game somewhere, Sunday League football, if you see teams completely being focused on set-pieces. That's the new reality."
Liverpool's Form and Upcoming Challenge
Liverpool's adaptation to this reality has seen them win seven of their last nine matches across all competitions, including four victories in their last five league outings. This strong run places them just three points behind third-placed Manchester United.
The team now faces a test against bottom-placed Wolves, a side that recently secured only their second league win of the season against then third-placed Aston Villa. This fixture underscores the league's competitive unpredictability that Slot referenced.
Boost for Liverpool's Attackers
Prior to the West Ham match, Slot had expressed concerns about his forwards' productivity. While Mohamed Salah's record Premier League goal drought extended to 10 games, goals from Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo provided a timely lift.
Gakpo's strike was particularly significant, marking only his second league goal since November and coming after a period of intense scrutiny. Slot commented on its importance: "I was happy because it was the 4-1 goal so that gave us an even more comfortable cushion, but even more happy for him to score because I think he needed that goal."
He added, "I don't think his confidence was gone or away in that regard but I did see a few times recently that he maybe made different decisions that I'm used to from him. That doesn't always have to mean it's a lack of confidence but when players are not scoring for a longer and longer time they start to think more about their direction, and overthinking is not the best thing you can do."
As Liverpool continue to navigate this set-piece-heavy landscape, Slot's comments highlight a broader tension between pragmatic success and aesthetic ideals in top-flight football.
