Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dismissed suggestions that his new full-backs are the primary cause of the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, instead pointing to a collective issue and a specific weakness in defending set-pieces.
Despite a generally positive opening to the season, Liverpool have looked less secure at the back, conceding seven goals in their first six league matches. This is a notable increase from the same period in the previous campaign. The arrivals of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have been highlighted as Liverpool transitions from its previous defensive era, but Slot insists the problem is not isolated to the flanks.
The manager emphasized that defensive solidity is a team-wide responsibility. He revealed that the squad has already let in four goals from set-pieces this season, a statistic he finds particularly concerning. Slot noted that while his players are working hard, they must rediscover the collective defensive resilience that was a hallmark of their title-winning form.
He further observed that set-pieces are increasingly becoming a decisive factor in modern football, especially in the Premier League, where the physical interpretation of the rules can lead to more goals from dead-ball situations. With a crucial European match on the horizon against a side known for its threat from set-plays, Slot acknowledged this is an area his team must urgently address.
In other squad news, forward Hugo Ekitiké has responded positively to the high-profile signing of a new striker, Alexander Isak. Ekitiké stated that competition for places is normal at a major club and views Isak’s presence as an opportunity for his own development.
