Slot clarifies Chiesa absence – and targets set-piece improvement ahead of Galatasaray | OneFootball

Arne Slot says Federico Chiesa was left out of his squad to face Galatasaray in the Champions League because of an injury.

The Italian forward was a surprise admission from the Reds’ squad list for the trip to Turkey but Slot has clarified that it is because of a minor injury issue.

“He got a little niggle in the last game against Crystal Palace,” Slot said.

“He tried it today, he was on the pitch in the beginning, but he couldn’t end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it is Chelsea away.”

Liverpool were handed their first defeat of the season on Saturday away at Crystal Palace and Slot admits his side must improve defensively, particularly at set pieces.

“One of our strengths last season was we kept teams away from our goal and that starts somewhere else, not defenders,” the Liverpool boss said.

“We have conceded four goals from set-pieces, so we have changed full-backs but we have changed a bit more [in other positions]. The goals we conceded, I will look back in detail, but the first thing that comes to my mind is not that the new full-backs are the problem.

“We need 11 players to work incredibly hard to stop chances but you can work as hard as you want but set-pieces are a different game inside the game.

“We hardly conceded from set-pieces last season, so we have to prove we have been unlucky with that, because that can happen but we definitely have to improve because I see teams who win Premier League games because of set-pieces. We lose them.”