Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool beat West Ham 5-2 at Anfield at the weekend, but the Reds are using a completely different tactic under manager Arne Slott.
Liverpool look very threatening from Arne Slott’s set-pieces (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slott claims the Premier League club’s reliance on set-pieces hurts his “football heart” despite using the tactic. Over the past few seasons, many clubs have become the top scorers from set pieces.
League leaders Arsenal capitalized on their reputation as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous teams from corners and free-kicks, and reinforced that reputation with their victory over Chelsea at the weekend. Last season’s champions Liverpool have followed suit, scoring more goals from dead balls from set pieces than any of their rivals since the start of the year.
“First of all, you have to accept it. I think that’s mainly here in the Premier League,” Slott said of the tactical change.
“If you look at other leagues, I don’t think there’s as much emphasis on set-pieces. When you watch an Eredivisie game, you see goals being given away or fouls given to the goalkeeper and you think, ‘Wow, that’s a big difference.’
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“Here you almost hit the goalkeeper in the face, but the referee still says ‘keep going’. Do I like it? My footballing heart doesn’t like it. When you think of football, if you ask me, I think of the Barcelona team from 10 to 15 years ago. Every Sunday night you wanted them to play.”
“Most of the games I watch in the Premier League now are not fun to watch, but it’s always interesting because it’s so competitive and that’s what makes this league great.
“Anyone can win against anyone, but as someone who doesn’t care about winning or losing and just likes watching football for the fun of it, I think there’s a big difference in the Premier League now versus three or four years ago.”
Arne Slott shares his views on the huge impact of set pieces (Image: Getty Images)
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Having added set-piece expertise to Liverpool, Slott believes the change in tactics could be here to stay. He added, “It’s not just the set pieces, but also because the team has become much stronger.
“But we’re not going to change that. Maybe in five to 10 years’ time things will be different again. What doesn’t surprise me is that if you go to any under-16 game, you’ll see them completely focused on set-pieces. That’s the new reality. I have an opinion on that, but that won’t change.”
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