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Arne Slot is preparing Liverpool for a Premier League trip to Wolves while voicing concern over how much the league now revolves around set-pieces, even as Liverpool and leaders Arsenal gain major benefits from them in the top-four race.

Across the division, set-plays are having a clear impact on results. Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday featured three goals from corners, while Liverpool’s latest away strikes, including in the 5-2 win over West Ham, have also arrived from dead-ball situations.

Slot accepts these routines help winning teams, yet feels the physical contests around goalkeepers are excessive compared with the Eredivisie. “I watch the Eredivisie still and fouls against goalkeepers are always given. Here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and it’s play on,” the Liverpool boss told reporters before the visit to Molineux.

Slot spoke openly about how this trend conflicts with personal taste. “My football heart doesn’t like it. Said many times I loved watching Barcelona 15 years ago. Most of the games in the Premier League are not a joy to watch but it’s always interesting as it’s so competitive. That’s what makes this league great – anyone can beat anyone.”

Set-pieces are more influential this season than last. There have already been 138 goals scored from corners in the Premier League after 281 matches. That figure has passed the 135 goals from corners registered across all 380 games in the previous campaign, underlining why clubs invest so much work on these situations.

Liverpool’s recent away record shows a sharp shift towards set-play scoring. Each of Liverpool’s last four Premier League away goals have come from dead-ball situations. Before that stretch, excluding penalties, only four of their previous 23 away league goals had arrived from set-pieces, highlighting a major tactical emphasis.

Slot suggested this focus will filter through English football. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you see under-16s teams completely focused on set-pieces.” Slot also pointed to the difficulty of dealing with direct play. The Premier League features squads built with significant financial power, recruiting strong players at peak age who are effective with long balls and aerial duels.

Slot explained that such styles leave coaches with limited control over territory. “The playing style is hard to control if you face long balls. It’s really hard not to concede a throw-in in your own half or a free-kick within 80 yards of your own box. Being a manager, you constantly have to change your approach. But it’s hard to find a tactic not to give away a throw-in or a free-kick.”

Liverpool’s 5-2 win against West Ham pushed Slot’s side into the Premier League’s top five. Liverpool now sit three points behind fourth position before facing the league’s bottom club, so the Wolves match offers a chance to strengthen their push for Champions League qualification, even though Slot insists the table remains very tight.

Slot underlined how volatile the standings remain. “Two weeks ago you could say we are not that well placed. Things change really fast. We are really close together with a few teams and things can change every single matchday,” Slot added. “We focus on our next game, on ourselves. We know every game has been difficult throughout the whole season and that’s what we expect now.”

History strongly favours Liverpool in this fixture. Wolves have lost 17 of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Liverpool. Overall, Liverpool have won 19 of 23 league games against Wolves, drawing two and losing two, giving Liverpool a win rate of 83%, which is the highest for any club against another they have faced at least 20 times in the competition.

Wolves also struggle when facing reigning champions. They have lost 10 of their last 11 Premier League games against title holders, with the sole victory coming 2-1 against Manchester City in September 2023. That record adds further context to Wolves’ task against a Liverpool side chasing three consecutive away league wins.

Liverpool’s away form has recently stabilised. The Reds have won their last two Premier League away matches, both 1-0 at Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, matching the total number of away league wins from their previous 10 trips, which produced three draws and five defeats. Liverpool now aim for three successive away victories for the first time since October 2024, when they put together four straight road wins.

Defensively, Liverpool could hit another marker if they shut out Wolves. Achieving three consecutive away Premier League wins with a clean sheet in each would be a first since March 2022. Such a sequence would further support their top-four push, even as Slot balances admiration for results with concerns over a league landscape shaped by set-piece battles and long-ball strategies.

Premier League players to watch and Opta prediction

Individual form may influence the contest. For Wolves, Adam Armstrong has already delivered two assists in five Premier League matches since joining, equalling the total number of assists from Armstrong’s previous 48 league appearances with Southampton. That upturn in creative output highlights Armstrong’s growing influence in Wolves’ attacking structure.

Mohamed Salah is again central for Liverpool. Salah has contributed to nine goals in the last 10 Premier League games against Wolves, with five goals and four assists. Salah has scored in both of his two most recent meetings with Wolves, underlining why the forward remains a major attacking threat heading into the Molineux clash.

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OPTA’s model gives Liverpool a strong chance of victory. The win probability numbers show Wolves at 17.1%, the draw at 19.4%, and Liverpool at 63.5%. These figures align with Liverpool’s dominant record in this fixture and their improved away form, while still acknowledging some risk in a league where, as Slot said, any team can beat another.

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