Set-Pieces Saved Us, “Played Better When We Lost”

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted three targets from set-pieces within the 5-2 win over West Ham was a welcome constructive change after a season of frustration.

For less than the second time in Premier League historical past three targets have been scored from first-half corners as Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister have been on the right track.

Liverpool have gone from the worst top-flight performers when it comes to set-piece stability (the distinction between the quantity scored and conceded) on the finish of 2025 to one of the best since New 12 months’s Day.

So even with an xG of simply 0.7 they went into half-time with a cushty lead and regardless of conceding twice, to Tomas Soucek and Taty Castellanos, Cody Gakpo and an Axel Disasi personal objective made it 4 wins in 5 league matches to raise them into fifth place.

“Very pleasing as a result of firstly that’s the reason we now have gained, secondly as a result of folks stated ‘properly performed’ and in my view we now have performed higher after we misplaced and higher after we conceded from set-pieces,” stated Slot.

“The primary half of the season nearly each set-piece we conceded went in. We begin scoring from set-pieces and issues begin wanting brighter and higher than if you don’t.”

Requested what had modified Slot added: “We now have created numerous probabilities within the first half of the season that too many instances didn’t go in.

“Perhaps one or two small particulars have modified defensively and offensively – our set-up is barely totally different – however the largest cause is that issues return to regular.”

Florian Wirtz damage replace: “Too early” for Wolves

Slot was with out playmaker Florian Wirtz, absent with a again damage sustained within the warm-up at Nottingham Forest final weekend, and the Germany worldwide stays uncertain for 2 journeys to Wolves subsequent week within the league on Tuesday and FA Cup on Friday.

“Typically with an damage issues can develop in a constructive or a detrimental means. Now, we’re pondering it doesn’t must take too lengthy however Tuesday will in all probability be too early,” he added.

“However the week after can be tight as issues stand now. I assumed he could be out there for at the moment as properly, which didn’t occur, in fact.”

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo stated it appeared “foolish” to take positives from the sport however felt there have been lots.

“It’s onerous to elucidate, perhaps it’s absurd to say it’s a good efficiency if you lose 5-2 however there are plenty of positives, plenty of negatives too,” he stated.

“At half-time you say ‘boys you’re taking part in good however dropping 3-0’ however we actually made errors from set-pieces.

“The second half we began properly and scored early, we create issues for Liverpool.

“Saying it’s a good efficiency perhaps sounds actually foolish however it’s what I noticed – however we go residence with a poor outcome.”