Liverpool’s Set-Piece Woes Turning Around Under Slot
Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, has expressed confidence that the team’s performance from set-pieces has finally returned to a more “normal” and effective level, marking a significant improvement in recent weeks. For much of the current season, the Reds grappled with an imbalance in goals conceded and scored from dead-ball situations, a persistent issue that ultimately contributed to the departure of individual development coach Aaron Briggs in late December.
The statistics paint a clear picture of this struggle. In the first 26 matches of the season, Liverpool conceded a concerning 13 goals from set-pieces, while managing to score only eight. This defensive vulnerability from corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins proved costly. However, in the 12 games that have followed Briggs’ exit, the defensive record in this area has tightened considerably, with the team conceding just two goals from set-pieces. Crucially, their attacking output from these situations has remained consistent, with their tally of eight goals scored from set-pieces unchanged.
Slot was quick to downplay any direct blame on Briggs, emphasizing his ultimate responsibility as head coach. “It would be very unfair to (blame) Aaron, who was partly responsible for that because, in the end, I’m responsible for everything,” Slot stated. He acknowledged a period of unfortunate luck, where the team was conceding goals from set-pieces despite rarely giving away clear chances, while simultaneously failing to convert their own opportunities.
“We’ve been in that period of time being so unlucky,” Slot explained. “We all knew that it couldn’t go on like that because we hardly gave away a chance in set-pieces but every ball went in and we created multiple opportunities to score and the ball didn’t go in.”
The Dutch manager believes that a return to equilibrium has been the primary driver of the recent improvement, rather than drastic tactical overhauls. “So that things go back to normal now, it’s something which we expected,” he said. “We didn’t change that much, maybe made one or two slight changes. What changed is things went back to normal, because in the Champions League, I think we were number one in set-pieces.” This suggests a return to a more expected statistical distribution of success in these crucial phases of play.
Testing the Defence Against Nottingham Forest
Liverpool’s defensive frailties from set-pieces will face another stern test this coming Sunday against Nottingham Forest. Interestingly, the upcoming fixture holds a peculiar statistic: five of Liverpool’s eight league goals against Forest since their return to the Premier League in 2022 have been scored from set-pieces. This highlights both their effectiveness in these situations against this particular opponent and perhaps a vulnerability that Forest has exploited.
The match also presents a unique managerial subplot. Slot is set to face his third different Nottingham Forest manager in just four encounters. His previous meetings have yielded mixed results: a loss and a draw against Nuno Espirito Santo, and a defeat at home earlier this season at the hands of Sean Dyche.
Slot acknowledged the challenge of facing teams under new management. “Back then (in November) they were in a different management as well because I think it was Sean Dyche’s third or fourth game,” he noted. “That sometimes makes it a little bit more difficult because we only have one game to see if this manager changes personnel, changes tactics but we, of course, know him because he worked last season in the Premier League as well.”
Reflecting on their previous encounter, Slot recalled how a single set-piece goal had a significant impact on the game’s trajectory. “It was a difficult game for us in the beginning of the season – the first half-hour was very good from us and then we conceded a set-piece and the game went completely the opposite way.” This experience underscores the importance of maintaining concentration and discipline from set-pieces, especially against an opponent who has shown an ability to capitalize on them.
“We know what we can expect if we play Forest because I’ve played them three times already,” Slot concluded, indicating a familiarity with their style and the challenges they pose. The upcoming match will be a crucial indicator of whether Liverpool’s set-piece improvements are a sustainable trend or a temporary resurgence.
