Van Dijk urges Liverpool to fix set-piece crisis

Van Dijk urges Liverpool to fix set-piece crisis

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has warned his teammates to address their poor record defending set-pieces if they are to sustain their recent upturn in form.

The Premier League champions edged Wolves 2–1 on Saturday, but conceded from a dead-ball situation, their 12th league goal conceded from set-pieces in 18 matches this season.

“The fact is we’ve conceded too many set-piece goals, and we don’t score enough,” Van Dijk said.

Read Also: Van Dijk: Liverpool players are letting Arne Slot down

“It’s something we have to improve. I would say at least 75 per cent of the time, or even more, it’s not about the first contact. It’s the second phase that is the killer.

“Is it a mental thing? I hope not. If that’s in your head, then it’s an issue. Personally, it’s not in my head.”

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has repeatedly highlighted his side’s struggles at dead balls throughout the season. However, the Dutchman believes there are encouraging signs overall, pointing to recent victories over nine-man Tottenham and Wolves, even though his side conceded from corners in both matches.

“Unfortunately, we’re maybe the only team that hardly ever scores from a set-piece and, even worse, we constantly concede,” Slot said.

“But I think I said two, three or four weeks ago that we have to make sure that when things go against us, it could be a set-piece, it could be other things, and we still need to find a way to win.

“In the last two games, we conceded from a set-piece, but we were able to win, and that hasn’t happened many times this season. That’s progress for me. But it’s obvious there are more things for us to improve, and this is definitely one of them.”

Despite a run of unconvincing performances, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions. Three successive league wins have lifted Slot’s side back into the top four, although they remain 10 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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