Liverpool: Arne Slot makes set piece admission as Reds keep first clean sheet since September

Legendary forward made history at Anfield

Arne Slot said that his players “showed up” as Liverpool ended their winless run against Aston Villa at Anfield.

The Reds had gone four league games without a victory before Villa arrived on Merseyside, but they swept past the Villans 2-0 thanks to Mohamed Salah’s 250th goal for the club, and Ryan Gravenberch notching the second on his return from injury.

It sets Liverpool up nicely for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid in midweek, where they welcome back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso to Anfield, before they face Manchester City next weekend.

However, after four consecutive league defeats, Slot seemed relived that his side had snapped that streak.

“I think everybody felt the importance of the game; the players and the fans,” he told TNT Sports.

“The players showed up. Although in the last few games we conceded in the first five minutes, they had a chance. which hit the post. I think the fans and the players felt it was their moment to show they are still here.”

After winning the league title in his first term in charge, Slot has seen his side slip to ninth in the table, but they are back up to third with victory over Villa.

“Maybe [it’s my first setback] in general as a manager,” Slot continued.

“The margins are small in the Premier League . You see that in every game. Now we are on the good side of things. It was a close call. Our other games were as well, and that’s what you have to do.”

The Dutchman also emphasised the importance of the set piece in the modern game, with the craze coursing through the Premier League .

“We have to address what does and doesn’t go well,” Slot said.

“In other games, we’ve sometimes conceded sloppy goals. The big difference today is that we didn’t concede a goal from a set piece. That is important because it seems like every game in the Premier League is about set pieces.”