Arne Slot, the head coach of Liverpool, has emphasized that the team’s defensive challenges this season cannot be solely blamed on the introduction of the new full-backs, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Although Liverpool has experienced a relatively strong start to the campaign, they have conceded seven goals across six league matches, a stark contrast to the mere two goals they allowed during the same stretch last year when they claimed the title. The transition from the era of renowned full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson has been noted but Slot underscores that the issue is a collective one, pointing out that Liverpool’s set-piece defense requires significant enhancement, especially after their recent defeat to Crystal Palace, who capitalized on set plays.
Slot elaborated, “A crucial factor of our success last season was the collective defensive effort where stopping the opposition started well ahead of the back line. This season, we’ve let in multiple goals from set pieces, a component we’ve traditionally been strong in. Despite changing full-backs and other elements of our game, I don’t attribute the problems to them. It’s a team game, and while everyone’s putting in effort, set pieces present a unique challenge.”
Ahead of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray, a team known for their proficiency in set pieces with 24 such goals last season including penalties, Slot acknowledges the growing significance of set pieces in football, particularly within the Premier League. “The Premier League is evolving into a tournament where set pieces are pivotal, with allowances for greater physicality around the goalkeeper,” Slot noted. “We’ve proven to be a formidable team in this area before, like with Virgil van Dijk’s goal in our last Champions League win.”
In other news related to the team, Hugo Ekitiké has expressed a positive attitude towards the addition of Alexander Isak, who joins the squad as a high-profile £125 million acquisition from Eintracht Frankfurt, despite the potential competition for Ekitiké’s position as center-forward. Ekitiké stated, “At such a prestigious club, having multiple striker options is essential. At my age, there’s room for growth, and having Alex in the squad can only be beneficial.”
Slot’s insights point to a need for strategic refinement in Liverpool’s approach to set pieces, recognizing them as crucial determinants in modern football outcomes. As they continue their season, addressing these challenges collectively could prove vital in maintaining their pursuit of success both in the Premier League and on the European stage.