Can Liverpool Really Master Set-Pieces Like Arsenal?
As Liverpool stands on the cusp of securing the Premier League title, attention is turning to the burgeoning tactical prowess of its management under Dutch coach Arne Slot. After their recent 1-0 victory over Leicester City, which brings them just one win away from the championship, questions are being raised about Liverpool's approach to set-pieces and whether they can elevate it to the levels demonstrated by their closest rivals, Arsenal.
Slot had kind words for Arsenal, particularly highlighting their set-piece efficiency, which has seen them net 14 goals from dead-ball situations this season—only two teams outperforming them in this regard. Conversely, Liverpool sits 16th in this metric with just six goals, raising eyebrows about their tactical execution in such situations.
In a post-match analysis, Slot revealed that he and his coaching staff have held numerous discussions focused specifically on how Liverpool can optimise their set-piece strategies. “The work that we put in is that we’ve trained a lot, we’ve had a lot of meetings about it,” he said. “And I think it’s normal for a coaching staff that’s only for nine or 10 months with that team that it doesn’t come from the first week.”
The fact that Liverpool has key aerial threats such as Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate at their disposal makes their relatively poor performance from set-pieces all the more surprising. Recent matches, however, indicate progress, with Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring from a corner—marking Liverpool's second consecutive game with a set-piece goal.
Drawing comparisons to Arsenal’s success, Slot commented, “If I am analysing an opponent, if they have their set-pieces perfect, I know the manager is already there for a long time because normally you start with bringing the ball out from the back and how to defend and all these kinds of things, and the end of that process is set-pieces.” This insight reflects a belief that cohesiveness and time are paramount to mastering set-pieces.
As Liverpool stands a mere win away from being crowned champions, the question looms: can they transform their set-piece tactics to match Arsenal’s success? With a bustling transfer window on the horizon and attention to detail in training sessions, Slot's commitment to improvement suggests the Reds may be poised to unlock their full potential.
As fans eagerly await the final matches of the season to see if Liverpool can clinch the title, they also ponder the prospects of a championship challenge enhanced by a superior approach to set-pieces. Could this tactical refinement be the key to their success in the coming seasons?
What do you think? Can Liverpool catch up to Arsenal in terms of set-piece execution? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
