So far this season, Liverpool has allowed the most goals from set plays (12) among teams in Europe’s major leagues, which has proven to be a crucial weakness for Arne Slot’s squad.
Teams like Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Brentford, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Tottenham, and recently Wolves have all exploited this flaw, often doing so multiple times.
Before the weekend match against Wolves, where they conceded from a corner, Slot referred to set pieces as an “add-on.” His perspective seems outdated, as many argue that they are now a fundamental part of the game.
Certainly, Liverpool’s effectiveness in managing set pieces—both defensively and offensively—needs significant improvement if they aim to stay competitive in the top four. If set-play net goals served as a measure for league standing, Slot’s team would be at the bottom.
Issues with Corners
West Ham only exceeds Liverpool’s seven goals conceded from corners (10), a statistic Slot has deemed “close to ridiculous.” This season, Liverpool has faced 85 corner kicks—recalling a goal approximately every 12 corners. In contrast, West Ham has faced 114, averaging a concession every 11. For perspective, league leaders Arsenal have only had to defend 55 corners.
Interestingly, Liverpool’s goals conceded don’t primarily result from being beaten to the first contact, which accounts for their low expected goals (xG). Instead, the issues arise in the second phase, as noted by captain Virgil van Dijk. The lack of responsiveness when the ball is loose in the penalty area has proven detrimental.
Miscommunication in Defense
Harry Maguire’s late header for Manchester United at Anfield in October is the only goal Liverpool has allowed directly from a header— stemming from a second-phase delivery after an initial corner was blocked. Here, multiple unmarked players exploited the situation at the back post.
It appears that Liverpool’s defensive structure leads to free headers, while failing to address subsequent play phases once the initial contact has been made. Players tend to switch off too quickly, lacking aggression and alertness to maintain defensive position. Inconsistent marking allows opponents to find space, as seen when Santi Bueno scored against Liverpool, unhindered by defenders in the box.
The Importance of Set Pieces
For most Premier League managers, set pieces are not an afterthought. Notably, over 50% of Liverpool’s conceded goals have originated from set plays this season, highlighting a critical oversight in Slot’s evaluation of their significance. Additionally, Liverpool has struggled to capitalize on set pieces offensively, while teams performing well at the top of the table thrive in this area.
Unexpectedly, other leagues echo similar trends; for instance, Lens leads Ligue 1 with 10 goals from set pieces, alongside PSG with nine. Despite Slot expressing frustration over the team’s performance, there hasn’t been a marked improvement. Liverpool’s set-piece specialist, Aaron Briggs, despite his extensive experience, has not held a specific role in this area before.
With 18 matches into the season, the subpar performance cannot merely be attributed to bad luck. It may be time for Liverpool to fully embrace the evolving importance of set plays— or risk falling further behind their competitors.
Watch Liverpool vs Leeds live on Sky Sports Main Event on January 1; kick-off 5.30pm
