Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has expressed concern that the growing reliance on set pieces in the Premier League is diminishing the entertainment value of matches.
Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Slot highlighted how the increasing number of goals from corners and free-kick situations is changing the character of English football.
“Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. Now most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch,” he said.
This season, league leaders Arsenal have made set pieces a key weapon, scoring both goals from corners in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
Liverpool, too, benefited from corners, netting three times in their 5-2 win against West Ham United the day before.
Despite his reservations, Slot acknowledged the competitive edge set pieces bring to the league, particularly giving smaller clubs a chance to challenge stronger opponents.
He also pointed out that officiating in England encourages the physicality often seen during corners and free kicks, contrasting it with his previous experience in the Eredivisie.
“In England, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face, and the referee will still allow play to continue. 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,’” Slot explained.
Looking ahead, he suggested the focus on set pieces could become even more prevalent in the future.
“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, and if you see teams completely being focused on set pieces. That’s the new reality,” he said.
Liverpool will face Wolverhampton twice this week, first in a league game and then in the FA Cup before travelling to play Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on March 10.
Slot also confirmed that playmaker Florian Wirtz remains sidelined with a back injury and is unlikely to feature against Wolverhampton, though he expects the midfielder to return next week.
