Liverpool manager Arne Slott has said it is “absolutely impossible” to win the Premier League with “set-piece balance like ours”.

The Reds won the title in style in the slot’s first season in England in 2024/25 but face a challenge to qualify for the Champions League this time around, having failed miserably after winning each of their first seven matches in all competitions this campaign.

“I can’t stop talking about the importance of set-pieces,” added Slott, whose side are sixth with 12 league games remaining and host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. “It’s every single day.”

Analysis: Liverpool’s set piece record this season

When the Premier League was paused for the latest round of the FA Cup, Liverpool were beaten at set-pieces by nine teams.

His total of eight league goals by the method puts him level with Fulham. Notably, only bottom side Wolves (4) have scored fewer set-piece goals than second-placed Manchester City, who are challenging leaders Arsenal to succeed Liverpool as champions.

Tellingly, Arsenal have scored three more set-piece goals (16) than any other team, with Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United their closest competitors in this regard.

Liverpool have the lowest percentage of expected goals from set pieces (14.95%), the third-lowest proportion of goals from set pieces (19.51%) and the second-lowest number of goals from dead balls (6.34).

Only Bournemouth (16) have a worse record than their total of 14 set-piece goals, while only Crystal Palace (40.63%) have conceded a higher proportion of set-piece goals than Liverpool (40%).

Why Arne Slott says set piece stats have gone ‘through the roof’

Speaking ahead of the game against the Seagulls, Slott said the difference between Liverpool’s fortunes in the Premier League and Champions League this season comes down to their struggles at set-pieces.

“The easiest answer is set-pieces because in the Champions League we are at the top of set-pieces and in the Premier League we are absolutely at the bottom,” claimed the Dutchman.

“It also reflects in the league table. The current Premier League is therefore, therefore, much more about set-pieces than last season.

“Even though I already felt it was very important, now it’s gone through the roof in terms of how important it is.

“It’s really impossible to win the league if you have set-piece balance like we have. You have to have plus five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 – no matter what you do in open play – to have a chance of winning the league.”

A dedicated set-piece coach, Slott was speaking a day after a team-mate with Brentford scored from a long throw-in to earn Arsenal a point at home.

“I saw again a game where set-pieces were almost a part of everything that happened during the game,” Slott said of the 1-1 draw.Gunners counterpart Mikel Arteta underlined the strength of Brentford’s set-pieces after the contest.

How have Liverpool fared in the 2025/26 Champions League?

The Reds won five of their last six matches in the league stage en route to automatic third-place qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

They have kept clean sheets in four of their last five European games, beating Qarabag, Marseille, Inter and Real Madrid in those wins.

Only table-toppers Arsenal (19) and second-placed Bayern Munich (14) finished with a higher positive goal difference than Liverpool (12).

Where are Liverpool’s set-piece strengths? Van Dijk ‘important’

Slott said that “doing set-pieces well” is “the only attribute you have to have” in the Premier League this season and praised captain Virgil van Dijk’s threat.

“It’s important that he’s scored a few goals for us this season – and certainly last season – from set-pieces,” reflected Slott.

“He’s a big threat in the air, offensively and defensively. It’s important for us that he doesn’t concede. That’s important and I hope he scores a lot more for us from set-pieces this season.”

Both of Van Dijk’s league goals this season have come in Liverpool’s last two away games, a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth and a 1-0 win over Sunderland.

The Netherlands international’s two Champions League goals came during the first three matches in this season’s competition, in a 3-2 home win against Atletico Madrid and a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

What’s next for Liverpool? Fixtures, Schedule

Liverpool will have a chance to improve their set-piece record at home to Albion on Saturday (20:00 GMT).

Brighton conceded from a corner in the 86th minute of their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday, leaving them on one win from their last 13 league matches, although they won 2-1 at Manchester United. The FA Cup Third round.

Liverpool Return to league action away from relegation-threats Nottingham Forest On February 22 (14:00).