Liverpool’s Struggles: The Real Issue and How to Fix It Without Spending in January

Liverpool is having a tough time this season, and fans are feeling the heat. With just a few months into the new season, the team’s hopes of defending their Premier League title in 2025/26 are hanging by a thread. Sadly, it’s December, and the situation looks grim. Out of their last 13 matches across all competitions, they have lost nine, which leaves them with a big gap to close behind the league leaders, Arsenal. Although they are now nine points behind, it’s the six defeats in their first 13 Premier League games that tell a worrying story.

The Set-Piece Dilemma

One major issue that hasn’t received enough attention is Liverpool’s performance during set-pieces. When we look closely, Liverpool is not doing well in this area, both in attacking and defending. Many fans and experts have thrown around ideas about why Liverpool is struggling, but set-pieces seem to be overlooked.

For example, in the Premier League, Liverpool ranks a disappointing 18th in attacking goals from set-pieces. Even more troubling, they sit in 19th place for defending set-pieces. In contrast to their Champions League performance, where they are first in goals scored from set-pieces, their domestic game tells a different story. Teams like Arsenal are thriving on set-pieces, scoring 10 goals from such situations this season, while Liverpool has netted far fewer.

Interestingly, the players responsible for preparing set-plays have expertise in their roles. Set-piece coach Aaron Briggs and analyst Lewis Mahoney know their stuff. However, the stark difference in performance between European matches and Premier League games is perplexing.

What Went Wrong?

Liverpool’s difficulties could be linked to various factors. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure for Real Madrid might have played a significant part, as he was an essential player in making attacking plays work with Mohamed Salah. Moreover, the introduction of players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak hasn’t exactly paid off, adding to the team’s woes.

Just to give you an idea, Liverpool has only scored a few goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, and if we analyze closely, this underperformance accounts for nearly 45% of the goals they’ve conceded! This statistic becomes alarming when you realize that just West Ham has given up more goals from set-pieces this season.

A Possible Solution

So if Liverpool wants to turn the season around, how can managing set-pieces help? Improving their efficiency in this area could definitely contribute to better results. A quick fix would be to copy the successful set-piece tactics used in the Champions League when playing in the Premier League. It might sound simple, but it could be effective.

Simply put, while better set-piece play won’t change everything for Liverpool overnight, it could provide a much-needed boost. And considering the team’s many issues, this could be a start.

Looking Ahead

Despite their current form, the sky isn’t completely falling for Liverpool. The team has shown glimpses of brilliance in the Champions League, having recorded impressive victories over strong teams like Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid. Yet, consistency in domestic matches is what they now need.

While the new manager, Arne Slot, is often discussed in conversations about Liverpool’s troubles, the primary problem appears to be more systemic rather than solely based on new tactics. Instead, it’s about the players adapting and executing game plans effectively, especially during those crucial set-pieces.

In conclusion, Liverpool’s journey this season isn’t over yet, but they need to get their set-piece strategy sorted fast. Addressing this could not only stretch their game but also bring them back into the competitive mix in the league without needing heavy spending in January.

Let’s hope they can rebound quickly and show the football world they are still a formidable force!

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Original Text – https://www.fourfourtwo.com/competition/liverpools-biggest-problem-is-not-arne-slot-and-it-can-be-fixed-without-january-transfer-spend