Arne Slot reveals why Liverpool were unlucky in Wolves win | OneFootball

Slot flags set-piece concern despite Liverpool progress after Wolves win

Liverpool’s narrow victory over Wolves brought another three points and extended a strong run of results, yet post-match discussion again circled back to a familiar issue. Slot was candid in assessing his side’s ongoing difficulties from set pieces, framing the problem as both a structural weakness and a wider trend within the Premier League.

While the scoreline suggested control, the performance told a more complicated story. Liverpool struck twice late in the first half to establish a commanding position, only to concede shortly after the restart from a dead-ball situation. It was a pattern the head coach acknowledged with visible frustration, even as he underlined the importance of finding ways to win when performances are imperfect.

Slot’s remarks were measured rather than alarmist, but they offered a clear insight into a coaching staff aware that marginal gains and lapses at set pieces increasingly define matches at the elite level.

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Slot assessment of recurring weakness

Slot did not attempt to disguise his concern. He pointed to the broader context of the Premier League, where scoring from open play is becoming progressively harder, while set-piece efficiency continues to rise across the division. In that environment, Liverpool’s struggles at both ends of dead-ball situations stand out.

The head coach admitted his side “hardly ever scores” from set pieces and, more worryingly, continues to concede from them. Wolves’ goal was not an isolated incident but part of a sequence that has stretched across much of the campaign. Slot described it as an area that must improve, noting that Liverpool are now deep into the season and cannot simply rely on bad luck as an explanation.

Yet there was also a note of balance. Slot stressed that progress should not be overlooked, highlighting that Liverpool have now won matches despite conceding from set pieces, something that had eluded them earlier in the campaign. From his perspective, that resilience represents a step forward, even if the underlying problem remains unresolved.

Set pieces shaping Liverpool narrative

Set pieces have become an increasingly prominent subplot in Liverpool’s season. In open play, the side has shown cohesion, athleticism and an ability to control phases of games. Dead-ball situations, however, continue to disrupt that rhythm, often shifting momentum at critical moments.

Against Wolves, Liverpool’s second-half discomfort was not solely down to the goal conceded, but it acted as a catalyst. The visitors committed additional aerial presence, crossed frequently and applied pressure that forced Liverpool into a more reactive posture. Slot acknowledged the anxiety this creates, particularly when facing physically imposing opponents.

He also referenced a near-miss at the other end, where a well-worked routine almost produced a goal. That moment, he suggested, illustrated how fine the margins are. The coaching staff have clearly invested time in set-piece preparation, but outcomes have not yet matched the work on the training ground.

Progress masked by results

From a results perspective, Liverpool continue to deliver. The Wolves win marked a fourth successive victory in all competitions, reinforcing their position among the league’s frontrunners. Slot was keen to emphasise that finding ways to win, even when issues persist, is a hallmark of competitive teams.

However, the coach was equally honest about the second-half performance, conceding that it fell short of expectations. Going in at half-time with a two-goal advantage should have allowed Liverpool to impose greater control, yet the opposite occurred. Slot attributed this to the momentum shift that a single goal can create, a dynamic he believes is often underestimated.

This willingness to critique, even after a win, reflects a broader theme in Slot’s tenure. Performances are being judged against a long-term vision rather than isolated outcomes. Set pieces, in that context, represent one of the clearest areas where Liverpool must close the gap between intention and execution.

What comes next for Liverpool

Looking ahead, addressing set-piece vulnerability will remain a priority. Slot did not hint at radical changes, but his comments suggested incremental adjustments rather than wholesale overhaul. Personnel, positioning and decision-making are all under review, particularly as Liverpool approach a demanding run of fixtures.

There is also an acceptance that perfection is unrealistic. Slot’s focus is on ensuring that when problems arise, they do not derail results. The Wolves match offered a case study in that regard: flawed, tense, but ultimately successful.

For Liverpool, the challenge now is to ensure that set pieces stop being a recurring talking point and instead become a platform for control rather than concern. Slot’s openness indicates a manager fully aware of the issue and determined to solve it, even as his side continues to collect points.