Arne Slot has warned that Liverpool cannot expect to challenge for the Premier League title while defending set-pieces so poorly, with the current record leaving the reigning champions adrift of leaders Arsenal and exposing a major flaw in their domestic performances this season.
After 26 league matches of the 2025-26 campaign, Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League table, 15 points behind Arsenal, and Slot has linked that gap directly to dead-ball situations, arguing that the team’s negative set-piece record makes realistic title ambitions impossible.
Asked whether his view on dead-ball situations had changed, Slot replied: "My first thought is 'no' as I've said it is impossible to win a big game with a negative set-piece balance. " "And in the Premier
League now, every game is a big game because of the strength of the league. "
Slot then reflected on how the league has evolved tactically, adding: "But looking at where the league has gone to, I should probably not say 'no' and should probably say 'yes' as I cannot keep going on about the importance of set pieces. It is every single day so important. "
The Liverpool head coach highlighted questions about the contrast between domestic and European results, stating: "People ask me multiple times about the difference in our Premier League and Champions League performances now and the most simple answer is set-pieces, because in the Champions League we are top in set pieces and in the Premier League we are completely bottom. " "And that reflects in the league table as well. "
Slot underlined how much more influence dead-ball routines now carry, explaining: "The current Premier League is so much more about set pieces than it was last year. " "Even though last season it was very important, but it has now gone through the roof in terms of importance. " "It is actually impossible to win the league with a balance like ours, you need to have a plus five to even have a chance, even if you are playing well, to win the league. "
Liverpool set-pieces data in the Premier League
Premier League statistics back Slot’s concern. Excluding penalties, Liverpool have conceded 14 goals from set-pieces this season, the joint-second worst figure in the division alongside Crystal Palace, with only Bournemouth allowing more, while Arsenal and Manchester City show much stronger defensive control from these situations.
Arsenal have conceded only six set-piece goals in the league, the joint-lowest total, while second-placed Manchester City have allowed seven, underlining a clear divide between Liverpool and the current pace-setters and reinforcing Slot’s view that dead-ball efficiency is directly tied to the title race.
Liverpool set-pieces and Brentford’s throw-in threat
Set-pieces, including long throws, have been a major theme across the Premier League in 2025-26, with Brentford illustrating that trend; the Bees scored from a long throw during a 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Thursday and have now produced 10 league goals from throw-ins since the beginning of last season.
That tally is more than double any other Premier League side in the same period and includes a decisive impact against Liverpool, as Brentford also punished Slot’s team from a throw-in during a 3-2 victory in October, adding another damaging example to Liverpool’s growing defensive issues at dead-ball situations.
Putting in the work pic.twitter.com/m5pTxrALwg Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 13, 2026
Liverpool set-pieces coaching change and next fixture
The club also made a structural change in this area earlier in the season, with Liverpool parting company with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs in December, and Slot’s repeated public focus on dead-ball phases suggests the technical staff remain under pressure to find solutions on the training ground.
Liverpool now prepare for an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton on Saturday, entering that knockout match while still searching for more reliable set-piece organisation, as Slot continues to stress that improving this department is essential if Liverpool hope to close the gap on their Premier League rivals.
