Ten points behind, many injuries, great frustration: The coach has identified a clear reason why Liverpool is losing touch.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has identified his team’s alarming record in set-piece situations as the main reason for the English football champions’ severely inconsistent Premier League season. “With our record in set-piece situations, it’s impossible to get into the top four or five, let alone win the championship,” Slot said ahead of the home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (4:00 PM/Sky).
The Reds go into the last league game of the year level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea FC. League leaders FC Arsenal are already ten points clear. “It’s very frustrating that we are where we are this season, because halfway through last season we hadn’t conceded a single goal from a set-piece,” said the 47-year-old Dutchman Slot.
The tense personnel situation does not make things easier for the Reds: Alexander Isak is out after a leg fracture, and Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley are doubtful for the game against bottom-placed Wolverhampton. Mohamed Salah is at the Africa Cup of Nations, Joe Gomez is out with muscle problems, and former Bundesliga professionals Wataru Endo (ankle) and Dominik Szoboszlai (suspended) are also unavailable.
“It’s time for the players who are available to do what they have done so often and roll up their sleeves,” Slot demanded. “The players who are available must give everything they have.”