Liverpool boss Arne Slot lamented his side’s lack of goals from set-pieces in the ongoing season of the Premier League as the Merseyside club, which clinched the English top-flight title last year under the Dutchman’s tutelage, stand outside the top-4 at the end of 17 game weeks.
The reigning champions, who have 29 points and stand behind fourth-placed Chelsea due to goal difference, have managed to capitalise just three times this season, from eleven set-piece opportunities they had.
“I know the importance of it, it gets more and more, and that’s why we are so annoyed by our current record.
“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, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.”
“I know the importance of it, it gets more and more, and that’s why we are so annoyed by our current record.
“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, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.”
Slot rated forward Cody Gakpo and full-back Conor Bradley as only having a 50-50 chance of returning against Premier League tailenders Wolves on Saturday.
Alexander Isak has been ruled out for a couple of months after suffering a broken leg following a challenge by Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is at the Africa Cup of Nations, defender Joe Gomez is sidelined by a hamstring injury, Wataru Endo is missing with an ankle problem, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is out through suspension.
“It is time for the players we do have available to do what they have done so many times and roll their sleeves up,” said Slot.
“The players who are available need to give everything they have.”
