Liverpool F.C. manager Arne Slot has said the increasing emphasis on set pieces in the Premier League has diminished some of the joy of watching football, though he accepts it has become part of the modern game.
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Liverpool, last season’s champions, struggled earlier in the campaign with dead-ball situations at both ends of the pitch. However, their recent form reflects a shift in approach. Seven of their last nine Premier League goals have come from set pieces, including three from corners in Saturday’s 5–2 victory over West Ham United F.C. at Anfield.
League leaders Arsenal F.C. have built a reputation as set-piece specialists and on Sunday scored their 16th goal from a corner this season, equalling the league record.
“First of all, you have to accept it. I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League,” Slot told reporters on Monday. “If I watch other leagues, I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set pieces.”
The Dutch coach suggested that goalkeepers in England receive less protection from referees compared to other leagues, citing his experience of the Dutch top flight. “Here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says just go on,” he said. “Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it.”
Slot added that he once enjoyed watching the possession-based style of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side but feels the current Premier League style prioritises competitiveness over aesthetic play.
“Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch,” he said. “But it’s always interesting because it’s so competitive, and that is what makes this league great.”
Liverpool, currently fifth in the table after winning seven of their last nine matches in all competitions, travel to face bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. on Tuesday at Molineux. The two sides will meet again in Friday’s FA Cup fixture.
Midfielder Florian Wirtz is expected to miss both matches due to a back issue, having already been sidelined for recent wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
Despite his reservations, Slot acknowledged that the growing reliance on set pieces is unlikely to fade anytime soon, describing it as “the new reality” of the modern game.
