Liverpool didn’t have to defend a set-piece against Aston Villa on Saturday, which Arne Slot thinks may have helped them win.
The game was held at Anfield with Liverpool triumphing 2-0 after a fairly dominant display.
Set-pieces and long-balls have been the Reds’ Achilles heel this term, with Slot’s men failing to deal with either of them all that well.
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Despite their complaints about facing that sort of opponent, Unai Emery chose to line his men up as usual and keep the ball on the floor and pass in triangles.
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This massively benefited Liverpool as they rarely conceded any set-pieces, and it allowed the best version of their team to come through, with Slot even admitting that this could be why they won.
Arne Slot admits that Liverpool beating Aston Villa was ‘a bit of luck’
Liverpool’s defence has been one of their main problem areas this season.
Ibrahima Konate has been in terrible form, and more often than not, Milos Kerkez has been outperformed by Andy Robertson.
Saturday’s game saw Liverpool return to a similar starting XI to the one that helped them win the Premier League title last season, and, unsurprisingly, they put in one of their best performances of the campaign.
And, even though Slot’s men were on top form, the Dutchman still believes that they got “a bit of luck” on their way to victory.
“The margins are small every single game – today after five minutes they hit the post – we didn’t concede a set piece, which was helpful, but also we got a bit lucky, which hasn’t happened recently,” he said in quotes relayed by BBC Sport.
“Our second goal was a deflection.
“When they hit the post, that was their biggest chance. The last few weeks, every time that ball went in, now it didn’t. Our second goal was a bit of luck, which we haven’t had in the last few weeks.
“The good thing about being 1-0 or 2-0 up, you can control the game a bit better with more possession, but if you are down, you have to chase the game and take risks and get counter-attacked.
“I think everyone who was here today felt the importance of the game, the players and fans as well. We showed character and won the game.”
Liverpool must build upon this win if they want a chance of winning the Premier League title
Many thought that Liverpool would be among the Premier League title challengers this season.
There have, of course, been times when the Reds have led the way, but after their last month of performances, it’s a surprise that they’re still in the top three.
After their win against Villa, the Reds are now seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, with Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth the only other team ahead of them.
Some thought that Liverpool’s title hopes were out of the window, but since they still have to face Arsenal again, that gap could eventually be knocked down to four points, and with the Gunners likely to slip up at some point, it’s still anyone’s game.
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However, if Liverpool go into their next games against Real Madrid and Manchester City without a clear plan in mind, everything will go back to how it was, and the Reds would be left on the back foot.
If Slot wants to retain the Premier League title, he really needs to get his men back to their best and keep them that way.