Arne Slot has demanded an immediate improvement in Liverpool's set piece output in order to accelerate the team's ability to fulfil its potential.
Liverpool have started to turn the corner after a ruinous autumn, with a six-game unbeaten run that – in all probability – should extend to a seventh against Wolves on Saturday afternoon, though Slot has cautioned against the prospect of taking anything for granted against the basement side.
Slot is adamant Liverpool are capable of getting to significantly higher levels but he has been flummoxed by how poorly they have dealt with an area of the game that was so profitable for them in their title-winning campaign and has taken on such huge importance.
It is a source of intense frustration to Slot that Liverpool's record has been so poor from corners and free-kicks – they have scored from three yet conceded 11, 12 months ago they had scored two and conceded three – but he is convinced that if they can make the relevant adjustments, the complexion of their season will change dramatically.
'The best is still to come for this team, which I think we all agree on,' said Slot, ahead of a game in which the late Diogo Jota's sons, Dinis and Duarte, will accompany the mascots onto the pitch before kick-off.
'If you look at our set piece balance, there is not one team in the world that is minus eight in set pieces and is still joint-fourth in the league. If you find that team please come to me. We are from open play the number one team in the league for chance creation but I don't think anyone sees it.
'I think in general we are criticised a lot. That is true if you simply look at the results, but if you were to exclude the set pieces then the world would look completely different and we would probably be five or six points higher.
'People say: "what are you talking about? Set pieces are part of the game." It is part of football and the minutes you play but it is a different world you could say. I would love to do better. The fundamental is the football itself and set pieces are an add-on.'
Slot, who is without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai for the Wolves match, added: 'Set pieces can make such a massive difference because if you score from a set piece and it is 1-0 then all the chances you created before are accepted and people say: 'Wow, what a great game! Look at how well, they played!'
What Slot was at pains to emphasise, however, was the point he does not think Liverpool are in a false position and is not looking to make excuses. The Dutchman has, nonetheless, underlined he will not tolerate another spell that threatened to blow Liverpool off course completely.
'We should be higher, let that be clear,' said Slot. 'I was expecting and hoping for us to be even higher in the league table. But even in the last six games the difference between us and the other team is constantly too small.
'Now we have been a few times a little bit lucky with the result and we need to find a situation where we are so much better than the other team that luck or bad luck does not influence it anymore.'