Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that the club's £450 million summer spending spree was driven by a need to improve their ability to break down defences from open play. Despite winning the Premier League last season, Slot acknowledged that his side relied heavily on set-pieces for goals in the second half of the campaign.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Chelsea, Slot said: 'We were very happy winning the league, but we didn't shut our eyes for the second part of the season, how many times we needed a set-piece to win. That's why we also had the window that we had - sometimes to replace, sometimes to add a certain quality.'
The Reds have endured consecutive defeats for only the second time under Slot, losing 2-1 at Crystal Palace and 1-0 to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Slot admitted the team is still adapting to a revamped style of play, with narrow victories masking inconsistencies.
Slot added: 'In the meantime, we almost won every single game. But the margins are not the same any more as the first part of the last season. We are trying to go to a situation where we don't need a set-piece to win a game.'
With Alisson Becker injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili is set for his Premier League debut after a £29m move from Valencia. Slot also hopes Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa will be fit, while Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, and Conor Bradley are vying for starts after being rested midweek.
