Arne Slot believes Liverpool’s push for a top-four or top-five finish could be in serious danger unless they address their problems from set-pieces, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves.
The Reds have struggled to defend their league title, with Opta’s supercomputer giving them just a one percent chance of retaining the crown in 2025–26. However, a recent improvement in results has lifted Liverpool to fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea but behind on goal difference going into the festive meeting with bottom club Wolves.
Despite the upturn, Slot remains troubled by Liverpool’s poor set-piece output. Only Wolves have scored fewer goals from dead-ball situations this season, with Liverpool managing just three. At the other end, they have conceded 11 set-piece goals, the joint-second worst record in the league, with 44 percent of their goals conceded coming from such situations.
With rivals thriving in this area, Slot insists Liverpool must improve quickly to stay in the Champions League race.
“I know the importance of it, it gets more and more [important], and that’s why we are so annoyed by our current record,” Slot said.
“It’s a big frustration we are where we are this season because when we were halfway through last season, we had not conceded one set-piece goal.
“It’s impossible to be top four, or top five, with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.
“We are the only team at the top end of the table that has a negative set-piece balance. And not only are we negative, we are on minus-eight and still on equal points with fourth.
“But if we are minus-eight… you look at that, you could say how special it is that we have as many points as we have.
“We all know why, because in open-play chances created, we are number one in the league.”
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