Liverpool Emerges as New Set-Piece Dominators, Eyes a Bright Future

Liverpool’s Recent Triumph

In their last Premier League match, Liverpool showcased their scoring prowess by netting five goals against West Ham. This marks a significant turnaround for a team that last celebrated such a feat in April 2025, when they won the league with a 5-1 victory over Tottenham.

As they approach March, Liverpool enters the stretch of the season with renewed confidence, now ranking fifth in the league, just three points behind third place. Head coach Arne Slot acknowledged the team’s nervousness during the match but noted the importance of their recent four wins in five fixtures—equating their total victories in that brief period to their performance over the previous thirteen matches.

“There’s an undeniable sense of excitement in the stands,” Slot remarked following the match, reflecting on his side’s gradual recovery from a shaky start to the season. Positioned as the reigning champions, Slot insists that qualifying for the Champions League is essential, and recent performances indicate a shift towards that goal.

Set-Piece Mastery: A Key to Success

Liverpool’s Set-Piece Evolution

Since the turn of the year, Liverpool has transformed their approach to set-pieces, becoming the league’s top scorers in this category (excluding penalties). This stands in stark contrast to their earlier struggles, during which they had the fewest set-piece goals among all Premier League clubs.

In fact, seven of Liverpool’s last nine league goals originated from set plays: five from corners, one from a direct free-kick, and one from a throw-in. Notably, all three goals scored in the first half against West Ham came from corner kicks.

“It’s gratifying to see these results, as they have directly contributed to our victories,” Slot explained. “There was a period earlier this season when every set-piece we conceded seemed to lead to a goal. Now, we’re scoring from them, which feels like a much-awaited turnaround.”

In late 2025, the departure of their previous set-piece coach, Aaron Briggs, prompted the remaining coaching staff to step up. When asked about changes to the team’s performance, Slot remarked, “Things have returned to normal. We were generating numerous chances earlier in the season, but now we’re capitalizing on those opportunities.”

Progressing Step by Step

Building Momentum Towards the End of the Season

As Liverpool navigates through the season, the common sentiment among supporters is that a successful campaign is one where the team remains competitive as April approaches. While the chances of reclaiming the Premier League title may be slim, the Reds still have a shot at glory in the FA Cup, the Champions League, and maintaining a spot in the upper echelons of the league.

Recently, the club announced remarkable revenues exceeding £700 million for the prior fiscal year, alongside an £8 million profit after taxes, making the Champions League qualification a priority for both financial and sporting reasons.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who played a key role in their recent success, emphasized the importance of the final months of the season: “This is the period when teams truly exhibit their capabilities. We are focused on achieving Champions League qualification and are fully committed to that goal.”

Cody Gakpo echoed similar sentiments, affirming, “We’re improving, and though the season had tough moments, we’re hopeful these recent performances signal the beginning of something special.”

With league matches against Wolves and an FA Cup tie on the horizon, paired with a Champions League clash against Galatasaray, the coming weeks promise to be pivotal for Liverpool’s season. If they can navigate these challenges successfully, the optimism among their supporters may evolve into genuine belief in a successful finish.