Liverpool's Struggles with Set-Pieces: A Major Concern

Liverpool have conceded the most set-piece goals in Europe's top five leagues this season, with 12 goals against them. This vulnerability has been exploited by several teams, including Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Manchester United. Manager Arne Slot has described set-pieces as an 'add-on', but many would argue they are now a fundamental aspect of the game. The team's set-piece balance is significantly off, and if net goals from set plays were a measure of league position, Liverpool would be at the bottom. So, what's going wrong? Liverpool have faced 85 corners this season, with seven goals conceded, which is close to a ridiculous rate. However, they are not conceding through conventional methods, and their low xG suggests they are not being beaten to the first contact. Instead, the problem lies in the second phase, where they are not responsive or reactive enough when the ball becomes loose inside the penalty area. Captain Virgil van Dijk has identified this as a 'killer' issue, and it's an area where the team needs to improve. The initial structure, where some players are marking touch-tight and others zonally, is stopping free headers at goal, but failing to deal with what happens in the next phase. Many factors contribute to this, but a simple reading suggests Liverpool are too quick to switch off, and a lack of aggression is not helping. If Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are being asked to dominate aerially by attacking deliveries, the rest should be primed to win the following duel. However, more often than not, they aren't positioned to do so, leaving opposition players with too much space or unmarked completely. This issue needs to be addressed, and defensive reinforcements in January are a must alongside a more robust plan to prevent such failings. Given over 50 per cent of Liverpool's goals conceded have been from set plays this season, it's clear that set-pieces are crucial. The team's lack of productivity from set-piece situations at the top end is also a concern, with the league seeing a steep rise in set-piece goals this season. The teams that are effective in this area tend to be those competing at the right end of the table. It's time for Liverpool to fully embrace the set-play revolution or risk being left behind.