Liverpool boss Arne Slot has expressed his distaste for the current state of Premier League football, admitting that games are not 'a joy to watch'.
Set-pieces have become more important than ever in the top flight, with leaders Arsenal having utilised them as a key weapon this season.
This was an issue for Slot's side earlier in the season, leading to set-piece coach Aaron Briggs being given the chop.
The Premier League champions have since had to adapt their style of play, and adapt they have. The Reds have more non-penalty set-piece goals in the league than any other side.
Three of Liverpool's goals in Saturday's 5-2 win against West Ham came from corners, all in the first half, as Slot continues to take a leaf out of Mikel Arteta's book as the Merseyside club revive their season.
However, while the Dutchman has shown willingness to change his approach to suit the league this season, he is not a fan.
In his pre-match press conference for Tuesday's clash with Wolves, Slot said: 'You have to accept it. I think it's mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues, I don't think there's so much emphasis on set-pieces.
'If I watch an Eredivisie game, which I still do, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I think "wow, that's a big difference". Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says "just go on".
'Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it. If you ask me about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday evening you were hoping they would play.'
Liverpool travel to Molineux for the first of two away trips to Wolves this week, looking to make it four Premier League wins on the spin against the division's basement boys.
While Rob Edwards' side are doomed for the drop, sitting 14 points from safety, they come into the clash on the back of a derby day win against Aston Villa.
And Slot, while he won't like the football on display, knows he is in for a difficult clash.
He added: 'Most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch, but it's always interesting because it's so competitive and that is what makes this league great – because there's so much competitiveness.
'Everyone can win against everyone, but just as someone who loves to watch football, without being interested in who's winning or losing it, just to be enjoyed, I think there's a big difference now between three or four years ago in the Premier League.
'Teams have become so much stronger – three or four years ago, when the top clubs faced the No 18, 17, 16, 15 [in the table], it could have been a four or five goals difference, and that's usually what you like.
'If there's so much difference between the teams, then one team is really good, but that's not the situation anymore.
'It's not only about the set-pieces, it's also because so many teams have become very strong. But we're not going to change.
'Maybe in five or 10 years' time things will change again but I wouldn't be surprised if you went to an under-16s game somewhere, Sunday League football, if you see teams completely being focused on set-pieces. That's the new reality.'
Arjenrobben11
50
Honestly, Arteta's haramball is fcuking horrible to watch. Klopp's Liverpool were the best in the last decade, in terms of entertainment
Hiaeinoruz
24
please stop this nonsense talk, look at mirror when your team benefited In this set piece, u most be incompetent to do the slightest thing to protect your goal or really stupid to start a conversation about how arsenal is taking its advantages. u sound very ridiculous and degrading in mind. u are a disgrace to Liverpool.
Toabeirtz
11
Is set piece only meant for Arsenal? 90 minutes game of football ⚽ is meant for the 2 sides on the pitch. some are scoring with penalties nobody is complaining. within 90 minutes is it only Arsenal that always has corner kick? the opponents are also have. how is it now arsenal blame that you didn't utilize your chances. If Arsenal are scoring from set piece, why can't you too score from open play and win the game if truly you better than Arsenal. pls, stop this stupid noise of set piece or no set piece, it has cleared that you're just envy Arsenal. It's better to accept fate rather than jealous.
tedaikruy
8
I remember Ferguson, when man u played against a team and man u are losing the match, then,refree blew penalty for them ,and from that ,man u will win That match. and people named that manner of play,Ferguson time. Nobody criticized. When Chelsea of Jose morinho were playing with his play style, packing the bus and they used to bully opponents especially Arsenal, and instead,refrees booked Arsenals players,nobody criticized, instead, they called morinho, Special one.Now,Arsenal discovered its own style of play trough set-pieces,people,pundits, even coaches are criticizing Arsenal saying Arsenal make premier league boring. What a hate!!!I remember everyone called Arsenals players baby boys.We can't be baby boys forever guys!!! come on. there will be a good time for everyone guys, come on men!!! Slot is out of solution for set-pieces,that's clear, he was also talking about long throws in and he still can't handle it. he isn't capable to think about what he could do to stop it anymore, I think he's not a good coach, and if won the epl is it not by luck ? because I couldn't see his own style of play till now.