Liverpool boss Arne Slot bemoans ‘ridiculous’ set-piece defending

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League when they take on PSV Eindhoven at Anfield later today.

The Reds are stuck in a deep rut, having lost five of their last six matches across all competitions.

Slot admitted that Liverpool’s situation is not ideal. They are conceding an alarming number of goals, and a chunk of them have come from set-pieces.

The Liverpool gaffer revealed that his side had not conceded a set-piece at this point last season, but have already shipped nine this term. He is appalled.

Slot said (via Hayters TV), “The amount of goals we’ve conceded and the amount of goals coming from set pieces is, again, close to ridiculous.”

The Reds need to improve their defending against set-pieces. Bringing in a specialist coach might be a solution worth considering.

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Brentford have benefited from having set-piece coaches. They have become better at both ends. Liverpool could use one.

Why has Liverpool’s defending been poor this season?

There are several reasons for Liverpool’s general defensive breakdown. First, defender Ibrahima Konate is going through a rough patch and looks susceptible.

Konate has delivered more than a few shabby performances at the back, but Slot cannot drop him due to the lack of options.

Also, the club’s full-back additions, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, have not particularly covered themselves in glory.

They have struggled to fit in at the Merseyside club, leaving more holes than they have plugged.

The lack of pressing intensity is also an issue that they must resolve.

Liverpool are not as sharp and as aggressive as they were last season. That lack of intensity has made all the difference.

Another less-discussed but equally important issue Liverpool are currently dealing with is the lack of protection from midfield.

Ryan Gravenberch has been a serviceable defensive midfielder, but that position needs a specialist to anchor and screen the back four.