Arne Slot says Liverpool title defence impossible without set-piece fix

Arne Slot has admitted Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has become “almost impossible” because of one glaring issue: their set-piece balance.

The Reds, who finished 10 points clear of Arsenal last season, now sit 15 points behind the Gunners and are battling to secure Champions League qualification rather than retain their crown.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Brighton, Slot was blunt about the root cause of his side’s struggles.

“I have always said it is almost impossible to win a game of football with a negative set-piece balance,” the Liverpool head coach said.

The numbers support his frustration. Liverpool have scored just eight Premier League goals from set pieces this season — among the lowest tallies in the division. By comparison, Arsenal have 18 and Manchester United 15.

Even more damaging is the defensive record. Liverpool have conceded 14 set-piece goals in the league, the highest total in the division. That leaves them with a -6 set-piece difference, one of the worst in the top flight.

“You asked me in the past what the difference is between our performances in the Champions League and Premier League and the most simple answer is set pieces,” Slot added.

“In the Champions League we are top in set pieces and in the Premier League we are completely bottom. That reflects in the league table as well.”

Slot believes the importance of dead-ball situations has increased significantly.

“The current Premier League is so, so, so much more about set pieces than it was last season,” he said.

“It is actually impossible to win the league if you have a set-piece balance like ours. You have to have plus five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, no matter what you do in open play.”

Having followed Liverpool’s campaign closely, injuries to key players such as Alexander Isak and dips in form from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have hurt. However, Slot’s focus on set pieces highlights a structural problem rather than individual shortcomings.

Liverpool parted ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs in December, a move that suggests internal recognition of the issue.

Virgil van Dijk’s recent header from a corner against Sunderland offered a glimpse of what Liverpool can still produce.

“It’s vital that he has already scored a few goals for us this season,” Slot said. “He’s a big threat in the air offensively and defensively he’s important for us not to concede.”

However, one isolated success does not yet reverse a season-long trend.

Liverpool face Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, offering an immediate opportunity to improve both attacking and defensive set-piece output.

In the league, restoring a positive balance quickly will be essential if they are to climb back into serious contention.

Can Liverpool fix their set-piece problem in time to salvage their season?