Arne Slot is wary of Arsenal’s set-piece prowess and accepts his Liverpool side need to improve defending corners and free-kicks ahead of Sunday’s meeting between the title contenders.
The reigning champions take on the three-time runners-up in the first real game of the season between teams that are expected to mount a serious challenge.
Both sides have won their opening two games but Liverpool have shown a surprising vulnerability defensively.
They struggled against Newcastle’s long-ball barrage on Monday night before teenager Rio Ngumoha’s last-gasp goal gave them a 3-2 victory at St James’ Park.
Slot wary of Arsenal onslaught
Arsenal are a big side and Slot is hoping his back four doesn’t come unstuck again on Sunday.
He said: “We face a very strong team that were already really good last season and I think they have improved their squad a lot during the summer. If you then look at all the quality they have and especially one thing that stands out in the season until now – and what stands out in a negative way for us is we have conceded, if I include the [Athletic Club] Bilbao game, [from] four set-pieces. Of course, as we all know, that is one of their strengths – not the strength, but one of their strengths.
“They can play in multiple ways, you can see how well they are managed by Mikel [Arteta] and they are working for five years together, because they can play almost every style there is in football. That tells you how well managed they are.
“One of their strengths is set-pieces and that is an area where, if you look at Monday when we faced Newcastle we conceded two and against Bilbao two, we need to improve. We were, by the way, really good last season, so no panicking at all. We also had to defend [a lot of] set-pieces at Newcastle, so then only conceding two is not even so bad.”
Slot defends Wirtz after quiet showing against Newcastle
Liverpool’s two big-money signings this summer have been Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
Ekitike has hit the ground running but Wirtz has looked a little subdued, particularly at Newcastle.
Asked about the Germany international’s display, Slot was quick to highlight the nature of the game as one that didn’t suit players of Wirtz’s style.
The Dutchman added: ”We only saw 40% ball in play against Newcastle so for them to have a lot of touches is quite hard and when the ball was in play it was in the air. So there was not much football on the ground. I also know Mo [Salah] would have loved to touch the ball more. So it is the opposition you play and their playing style. But is not the first time we have played this playing style and we know we can do better.”
Slot quiet over transfer dealings
Liverpool could return to Newcastle with a second bid for striker Alexander Isak before Monday’s deadline, particularly with the Tyneside club closing in on a deal for Nick Woltemade.
But Slot was giving little away when asked if the Reds were planning to be busy over the weekend.
He said: “As always, we try to sign players that can help but there is no reason to complain after the first two games that we need more. But if we can strengthen we will, if it is the right money and the right player. But there are only 3-4 days left. So let’s see if we do something.”
Liverpool emerged unscathed without any serious injuries from Monday’s clash, despite the hosts’ physical approach with Virgil van Dijk showing no lingering effects from Anthony Gordon’s appalling challenge that saw him red-carded.
Conor Bradley is fit again while Alexis Mac Allister is also available to face Arsenal.
