Arne Slot views Liverpool's improved set-piece work as a return to normality

Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool, noted that his team has delivered stronger performances this season only to suffer defeats, yet he highlighted the crucial role of set pieces following their convincing 5 2 victory against West Ham on Saturday.

In a rare occurrence, marking just the second instance in Premier League records, a side netted three goals from corner kicks during the opening 45 minutes, with strikes by Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister establishing dominance for the reigning English title holders.

This success aligns with an emerging pattern, as Van Dijk has also found the net from set pieces in away fixtures against Sunderland and Bournemouth lately, while Ibrahima Konate converted a corner during a 4 1 triumph over Newcastle, and Dominik Szoboszlai's remarkable free kick broke the deadlock in their 2 1 loss to Manchester City.

The Reds have shifted dramatically in the Premier League standings for set piece goal differential, moving from the bottom at the close of 2025 to the top position thus far in 2026.

"It is highly satisfying for two main reasons: it explains our victory, and it comes amid praise for our play, even though I believe we performed superior in losses and even when leaking goals from dead balls," Slot commented.

"During the initial part of the campaign, nearly all the set pieces we faced resulted in concessions. Now that we are converting our own, the outlook feels much more positive compared to when we were not."

The club dismissed their set piece specialist Aaron Briggs towards the end of the previous year, though Slot minimised the impact of that departure.

"Throughout the early months, we generated numerous opportunities from set plays that failed to materialise far too often," he continued.

"Perhaps a couple of minor adjustments have occurred in defence and attack, with our arrangements varying a bit, yet the primary factor is simply reverting to standard expectations."

The win propelled Liverpool up to fifth spot in the standings, restoring their leading claim for Champions League qualification in the upcoming campaign.

Finishing in the top five should virtually guarantee participation in the Champions League next term, bolstered by the impressive showings of English clubs across European tournaments this year.