Revolutionizing Set-Piece Strategy: Liverpool Embraces Premier League Trend

Liverpool's recent 5-2 victory over West Ham marked a significant shift in their set-piece strategy, as the team scored three goals from corner kicks in the first half. This improvement has been largely credited to the new responsibility taken on by manager Arne Slot and his technical staff. With no plans to hire an additional set-piece coach, Liverpool's transformation has become a standout feature of their recent performances.

Arne Slot’s Influence on Set-Pieces

Arne Slot, who previously didn’t focus heavily on set-pieces, has now taken full charge of Liverpool's set-play routines. Along with his assistants, Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Slot has redefined the team’s approach. This shift, in addition to greater input from set-piece analyst Lewis Mahoney, has been key in turning Liverpool’s set-piece record around.

Set-Piece Success: A Statistical Surge

In their last nine Premier League matches, seven of Liverpool’s goals have been from set-pieces, with five of those coming from corners. This marks a dramatic recovery from earlier in the season, when Liverpool briefly had the worst set-piece record among Europe’s top leagues. The change highlights their strategic shift and the effectiveness of the new routines implemented under Slot's guidance.

The Rise of Inswinging Corners

A major tactical shift has been the increase in inswinging corners, now comprising 81% of Liverpool's deliveries—up from 71% in previous seasons. This change has benefited key players like Virgil van Dijk and Hugo Ekitike, as well as second-phase attackers like Alexis Mac Allister. The effectiveness of these inswingers is evident in their recent form, with 70% of their corners landing in the ideal "sweet spot" of the six-yard box. This stands in stark contrast to their previous delivery patterns before Slot took over, where only 19% of corners reached the optimal area for scoring opportunities.