Liverpool’s Slot says his ‘football heart’ does not like set-piece trend

AFP | London

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot said yesterday that the growing reliance on set pieces in the Premier League has sucked some of the joy out of football but accepts it is the new reality.

Last season’s champions struggled with dead-ball situations both defensively and in attacking areas earlier in the campaign.

But seven of their past nine Premier League goals have come from set pieces, including three following corners in Saturday’s 5-2 win against West Ham at Anfield.

Premier League leaders Arsenal are renowned as the set-piece kings and on Sunday scored their 16th goal from a corner this season -- equalling the league record.

“First of all, you have to accept it. I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League,” Slot told reporters yesterday.

“If I watch other leagues, I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set pieces.”

The Liverpool manager said he felt goalkeepers in the Premier League were given less protection by match officials than those in other leagues such as the Dutch top division.