Liverpool manager Arne Slot has issued a stark demand for immediate improvement in his team's set-piece performance, identifying it as the critical factor holding them back from reaching their full potential.
A Glaring Weakness Threatening Progress
The Reds have begun to steady their form after a difficult autumn, putting together a six-match unbeaten run. This streak is highly likely to extend to seven when they face bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, though Slot has warned against complacency.
However, the Dutch coach insists his squad is capable of far greater heights and is perplexed by their severe struggles in an area of the game that was once a major strength during their title-winning campaign. Liverpool have scored just three goals from corners and free-kicks this season while conceding a staggering 11. This starkly contrasts with the same period 12 months ago, where they scored two and conceded only three.
Slot's Statistical Frustration
For Slot, these numbers are a source of intense frustration. He is convinced that making the correct adjustments in this department could radically transform Liverpool's season.
"I think we all agree that the best of this team is still to come," stated Slot ahead of the Wolves match, which will see the sons of the late Diogo Jota, Dinis and Duarte, join the mascots on the pitch pre-kick-off.
He elaborated with a pointed statistical analysis: "If you look at our set-play balance, there is no team in the world that is minus eight on set-plays and is still fourth in the league. If you find that team, please come and see me. In open play we are the number one team in the league for creating chances, but I don't think anyone sees that."
Slot believes the criticism of Liverpool's overall play is excessive when set-pieces are isolated. "If we excluded set-plays, the world would be completely different and we would probably be five or six points better off," he claimed, while acknowledging that dead-ball situations are an undeniable part of football.
No Excuses, Just a Demand for Dominance
The manager was keen to stress he is not making excuses nor believes Liverpool are in a false position. However, he underlined he will not tolerate another poor run that could derail their campaign.
"We should be higher, that is clear," Slot said. "I expected us to be even higher in the table. But even in the last six games the difference between us and the other team is consistently too small."
He pointed to the transformative power of set-plays: "They can make a huge difference, because if you score from a set-play and it's 1-0, all the chances you created before are accepted and people say, 'Wow, what a great game! Look how well they played.'"
Slot concluded with a clear objective for his team: "Now we have had a couple of times a little bit of luck with the result and we have to find a situation where we are so much better than the other team that luck or bad luck no longer influences it." Liverpool will be without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai for the visit of Wolves.
