Liverpool manager Arne Slot says 'impossible to win the league' with Reds' lack of set-piece goals - 'It is the only attribute you should have'
Published 13/02/2026 at 12:07 GMT
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Attention turns to the FA Cup this weekend as Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reflected on his side's difficult Premier League campaign, though, admitting a lack of set-piece prowess has made it "impossible" to defend their title. The Reds sit sixth in the table, 15 points off leaders Arsenal.
'They don't deserve to be in the position' - Slot says league place is unfair on Brighton
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot said it is "impossible to win the league" if his team do not improve at set-pieces.
Dead ball situations have taken on increased significance in the Premier League this season, with leaders Arsenal particularly effective from attacking corners.
Virgil van Dijk headed home the winning goal from a corner as Liverpool beat Sunderland 1-0 on Wednesday, but Slot's side have been among the lowest scorers from set-pieces this season, and have been vulnerable defensively too.
"It is actually impossible to win the league if you have a set-piece balance like ours," the Dutchman said in his press conference before Liverpool's FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion - which will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"You have to have plus five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, no matter what you do in open play, to have a chance to win the league."
Slot was quizzed on the difference between Liverpool's performances in the UEFA Champions League - where they finished third in the league phase standings - and the Premier League.
"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, because in the Champions League we are top in set pieces and in the Premier League we are completely bottom," he said.
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'Every game is a must win' - Slot on pressure to succeed at Liverpool after victory at Sunderland
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"That reflects in the league table as well. The current Premier League is so, so, so much more about set pieces than it was last season.
"Even though I already found it very important, it has now gone through the roof in terms of how important it is."
Slot reserved praise for Van Dijk, whose aerial prowess proved crucial in a vital win at Sunderland that kept Liverpool in touch with Chelsea and Manchester United in the top-four race.
"I would almost say that in the current Premier League it is the only attribute you should have - doing set pieces well," he added.
"Yesterday, I again watched a game in which set-pieces were almost part of everything that happened during the game.
"It's vital that he has already scored a few goals for us this season and definitely last season as well from set pieces.
"He's a big threat in the air offensively, and defensively he's important for us not to concede. So yes, [he's] vital and I hope he will score many more for us in set pieces this season.
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Highlights: Sunderland finally fall at home as Van Dijk leads Liverpool to win
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He's been fit every single time and I have said this before how big of an accomplishment that is for a player of his age, because he is not the youngest anymore.
"He plays every three days, but that is not a coincidence, because if I look how much work he puts in on a daily basis to recover to be ready for the next [game] immediately."
Turning his attention to Saturday's clash with Brighton, Slot highlighted the importance of managing his squad during a busy period.
"The load management is important because the last thing we could use right now is another injury," he said.
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"That is always the difficult balance for the manager, including his medical staff. What is the best decision to make every single time?
"It is also true that a player could get injured if he has to play three games in seven days. But it also happened many times that a player could play three games in seven days.
"So that's the challenge we are having, but the most important thing is we have to train today, see how the players are doing, listen to how they feel and then make the best possible decision."
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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