Slot: Liverpool cannot make top four with current set-piece shortcomings

Arne Slot believes Liverpool have no chance of finishing in the top four or top five of the Premier League table if they continue to struggle from set-pieces at both ends.

Liverpool have endured a miserable defence of their Premier League title, with the Opta supercomputer assigning them just a 1% chance of retaining their crown in 2025-26.

But a recent upturn has them fifth in the table ahead of Saturday's festive fixture against rock-bottom Wolves, with fourth-placed Chelsea only above them on goal difference.

That is despite the Reds having a dreadful record from both attacking and defensive dead balls.

Indeed, only Wolves (one) have scored fewer Premier League goals from set-pieces this season than Liverpool (three, level with Brentford, excluding penalties).

And at the other end of the pitch, their 11 goals conceded from set-pieces are also the Premier League's joint-second most, with only Bournemouth (11) proving more porous.

Liverpool are also fourth-last for shots (54) and second-last for expected goals (4.13 xG) from set-pieces, while 44% of the goals they have conceded this term have come from dead balls.

And with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all in double figures for set-piece goals scored this term, Slot believes Liverpool have neglected a key part of the modern game.

"I know the importance of it, it gets more and more [important], and that's why we are so annoyed by our current record," Slot said.

"It's a big frustration we are where we are this season because when we were halfway through last season, we had not conceded one set-piece goal.

"It's impossible to be top four, or top five, with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.

"We are the only team at the top end of the table that has a negative set-piece balance. And not only are we negative, we are on minus-eight and still on equal points with fourth.

"But if we are minus-eight... you look at that, you could say how special it is that we have as many points as we have.

"We all know why, because in open-play chances created, we are number one in the league."

After facing Wolves, Liverpool are at home to Leeds United on New Year's Day. The Reds have won 17 of their last 20 Premier League matches between Christmas and New Year (two draws, one loss), including the last five in a row.