Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot says most Premier League video games are not a “pleasure to observe” and his “soccer coronary heart does not like” the emphasis on set-pieces this season.
Of the overall scored within the league this season, 27.5% have been non-penalty set-piece targets – the second-highest price since 2009-10.
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Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces has been a key a part of their title problem, with their 16 targets from corners – three greater than anybody else – equalling probably the most in a Premier League season.
All three of Liverpool’s targets within the first half of their 5-2 win in opposition to West Ham United on Saturday got here from corners.
Set-piece coach on 30 December and Slot’s aspect have scored probably the most targets within the league from set-pieces in 2026, excluding penalties.
“You need to settle for it,” mentioned Slot. “I believe it is primarily right here within the Premier League. If I watch different leagues I do not suppose there’s a lot emphasis on set-pieces.
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“If I watch an Eredivisie recreation, which I nonetheless do, I see targets being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I believe ‘wow, that is a giant distinction’. Right here, you may nearly hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee nonetheless says ‘simply go on’.
“Do I prefer it? My soccer coronary heart does not prefer it. In case you ask me about soccer, I take into consideration the Barcelona group from 10, 15 years in the past. Each Sunday night you have been hoping they’d play.
“Now, a lot of the video games I see within the Premier League will not be for me a pleasure to observe but it surely’s at all times attention-grabbing as a result of it is so aggressive.
“That’s what makes this league nice as a result of there may be a lot competitiveness. Everybody can win in opposition to everybody.”
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Slot accepted that set-pieces are the “new actuality of the Premier League” and believes it might even change into a theme at junior degree.
“We aren’t going to alter it,” added the Dutchman as he previewed Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I simply would not be stunned in case you went to observe a Sunday League match now and the 16-year-olds have been utterly targeted on set-pieces.”
Wirtz ought to return subsequent week
Slot has prompt Florian Wirtz is poised to overlook the back-to-back video games in opposition to Wolves this week due to the again damage he sustained within the warm-up in opposition to Nottingham Forest final weekend.
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The Germany playmaker missed Liverpool’s win in opposition to West Ham and is most probably to return within the Champions League recreation in opposition to Galatasaray on 10 March.
“I haven’t got something completely different to say to what I mentioned on Saturday,” mentioned Slot.
“The sport on Tuesday will in all probability come too quickly, and possibly the sport on Friday as properly.
“However let’s examine the way it all finally ends up. We hope to have him again someday subsequent week, possibly a bit earlier or a bit later, however that’s the timescale.”