Arne Slot shares reality of finally addressing Liverpool's big problem this season

Arne Slot admitted that Liverpool was not at its best during Saturday's game against West Ham, but the Reds still scored five goals on the way to victory

Arne Slot after Liverpool's win over West Ham(Image: AFP or licensors)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted that his team's victory over West Ham showed the importance of making the most of set-piece opportunities.

All three of the Reds' first-half goals in the 5-2 win came as a result of corners, as Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister all got on the scoresheet.

Although Liverpool won the game by a handsome margin, Slot conceded that the overall performance of his team was not the best, and was grateful for the Reds' efficiency from set-pieces.

"The main thing to take is that we scored three goals from set pieces and maybe even a fourth because the one from Cody [Gakpo] was a bit later on when we had a set piece," Slot said.

"That can make a big difference in a game because I don't think at 3-0 was a fair reflection of the run of play.

"So many times I have been on the opposite side. We have deserved so much more but didn't get it because of our set pieces conceded."

"In all the other games we had a lot of set pieces as well but we struggled for a long time to score from it.

"But we had chances and we always knew things would go back to normality again.

"This is what is happening now. We are generating the chances but now they go in and things look much nicer.

"From open play I don't think it was our best game of the season. It was a good game, but not our best. Set pieces can make a massive difference."

Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring in Liverpool's 5-2 win(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

Meanwhile, Slot was asked whether Florian Wirtz could return for Tuesday's game against Wolves after the German missed Liverpool's last two games through injury.

"I think that will be too early [for Wirtz to return against Wolves]," Slot responded.

"But I said last week I didn’t expect him not to be available for today, so sometimes with an injury things can develop in a positive way or in a negative way.

"Now we are thinking it doesn’t have to take too long, but Tuesday will probably be too early. The week after will be tight as things stand now, but as I said, I thought that he would be available for today as well, which didn’t happen unfortunately."