Arne Slot: It’s ‘impossible’ to win Premier League without set pieces

Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes it is “impossible” for any team to win the Premier League without being proficient at set pieces this season.

The Reds have conceded 14 goals from set pieces (not including penalties) in the top flight this season, the second-worst record in the division, while they are joint-ninth for goals scored from set plays (8).

Arsenal, meanwhile, are ranked second and first in both categories, having conceded just five and scored 15 from set pieces, which has played a huge part in their charge for the title.

Slot is convinced that set pieces are the only thing that Premier League teams need to have this season.

“I would almost say in the current Premier League it is the only attribute you should have, doing set pieces well,” the Dutchman said ahead of Liverpool‘s FA Cup fourth round clash with Brighton on Saturday.

Slot: ‘Impossible’ to win Premier League without set pieces

Asked if his opinion on the importance of set pieces had changed, Slot answered: “My first thought is ‘no’ as I’ve said it is impossible to win a big game with a negative set-piece balance. And in the Premier League now, every game is a big game because of the strength of the league.

“But looking at where the league has gone to, I should probably not say ‘no’ and should probably say ‘yes’ as I cannot keep going on about the importance of set pieces. It is every single day so important.

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“People ask me multiple times about the difference in our Premier League and Champions League performances now and the most simple answer is set pieces, because in the Champions League we are top in set pieces and in the Premier League we are completely bottom.

“And that reflects in the league table as well. The current Premier League is so much more about set pieces than it was last year.

“Even though last season it was very important, but is has now gone through the roof in terms of importance.

“It is actually impossible to win the league with a balance like ours, you need to have a plus five, six, seven ten to even have a chance, even if you are playing well, to win the league.”

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