Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has attributed the recent improvement in his side's set-piece performances to a return to normalcy, following the departure of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs in late December. The Reds had struggled significantly from dead-ball situations in the first half of the season, conceding 13 set-piece goals in their first 26 matches while scoring only eight.
Since Briggs was sacked, Liverpool have conceded just two set-piece goals in 12 games and scored eight, a marked turnaround. However, Slot was keen to absolve Briggs of blame, insisting the poor run was down to bad luck. 'It would be very unfair to Aaron, who was partly responsible for that, because in the end I'm responsible for everything,' Slot said. 'We've been in that period of time being so unlucky. We all knew that it couldn't go on like that.'
The Dutchman stressed that the tactical setup had barely changed, with only 'one or two slight adjustments' made. 'What changed is things went back to normal, because in the Champions League I think we were number one in set-pieces,' he added. Liverpool's defensive vulnerability from set-pieces will face another test on Sunday when they travel to Nottingham Forest, a side against whom they have scored five of their last eight league goals from set-pieces.
Slot is still seeking his first win against Forest, having faced three different managers in four meetings. He reflected on the earlier 1-0 defeat at Anfield in November, where a set-piece goal proved decisive. 'Back then they were in a different management as well because I think it was Sean Dyche's third or fourth game,' Slot noted. 'That sometimes makes it a little bit more difficult... but we know what we can expect.'
