Liverpool’s Real Problem Isn’t Set-Pieces - It’s Profiles

Arne Slot’s system is built on dribblers, and Liverpool no longer have enough of them.

Liverpool have a problem right now. That’s an understatement, they have a lot of problems. Even with eight games unbeaten and sitting fourth in the Premier League table, not all is bright on Merseyside.

And the club’s issues do not stem from merely just being ineffective when it comes to their set-pieces. Sacking Aaron Briggs won’t be fixing anything at all.

Arne Slot is facing deeper issues. One of those is not having the player profiles at his disposal to make his system and his ideas work.

It’s important to establish that the dull, conservative football Liverpool are playing is not Slot’s preferred style. It’s merely a means to an end.

Liverpool were struggling to breakdown rigid defences who set-up in a deep low-block against them so Slot has opted to draw back Liverpool’s own defensive lines and focus on the basics in order to avoid being vulnerable against opposition counter attacks.

But there was a time when Slot didn’t struggle to breakdown low-blocks. Having managed Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, he is accustomed to smaller teams setting-up against his side in this way.

Even last season during his first campaign as Liverpool manager, this low-block set-up didn’t seem to cause him too many issues.

There’s a key difference this season though.

Why Dribbling Matters Against a Low Block

Liverpool have lost a lot of individual quality. Most importantly, they have lost a lot of players who thrive in taking players on.

Dribbling in tight spaces is one of the most underrated and least spoken about qualities in football. Even though it’s one of the most effective ways of breaking down a low-block.

A player who can beat players in one vs one situations subsequently takes defenders out of the game, draws more defenders to him and therefore opens up the low-block and creates space for his teammates.

Last season, Liverpool averaged 22.4 dribbles per 90 minutes while cruising to the Premier League title with a 54% success rate.

This season, the figure has dropped down to 18.4 dribbles per 90 minutes with a 53% success rate.

So, Liverpool are averaging at least four dribbles less per 90 minutes.