Van Dijk Warns of Liverpool’s Set-Piece Flaw vs Leeds

Key Points

• Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted that the team’s vulnerability to conceding goals from set-pieces is a major issue, describing it as a “killer” problem that “hurts” the squad.​
• The Reds have conceded 12 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, the joint-highest tally, while scoring only three from such situations (excluding penalties), creating a minus-nine differential – their worst in any Premier League campaign.​
• This weakness was evident in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, where Santiago Bueno scored from a corner shortly after half-time, turning a comfortable lead into a tense finish.​
• Van Dijk highlighted that the “second phase” after initial contact is the critical failure point, estimating it accounts for at least 75% of the concessions, and stressed the need for repetition, training, and analysis.​
• Despite recent form – unbeaten in six Premier League games with wins over Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wolves – Liverpool sit fourth, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal.​
• Leeds United face Liverpool at Anfield on New Year’s Day, with Van Dijk’s comments suggesting the Whites could exploit this defensive flaw.​
• Manager Arne Slot has acknowledged the set-piece concerns, noting Liverpool rarely scores from them and consistently concedes, calling it troubling.​
• Van Dijk praised Florian Wirtz’s vital second goal against Wolves, noting his adaptation to Liverpool’s intensity despite cramping, and looked forward to the Leeds match.​
• The captain emphasised collective player responsibility, game management issues in second halves, and avoiding fixation on the December table position amid upcoming fixtures.​

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has candidly addressed a persistent defensive frailty ahead of New Year’s Day clash with Leeds United at Anfield, warning that set-piece concessions represent a “killer” vulnerability the visitors could exploit. Despite climbing to fourth in the Premier League with six unbeaten games, the reigning champions’ issue – 12 goals shipped from dead balls – turned a routine win over Wolves into a nervy affair.​

What is Liverpool’s ‘killer’ set-piece issue?

As reported by Mark Carruthers of Yorkshire Evening Post, Virgil van Dijk bemoaned Liverpool’s ongoing struggles with set-pieces, stating they have conceded too many goals in such situations despite defending many effectively.

“We have defended so many set-pieces very well,” Van Dijk said.

“But the fact is we’ve conceded too many goals like that and it hurts. We need to enhance our performance in that area. It’s about repetition, practice, and analysis… it’s an aspect we must improve.”​

Van Dijk pinpointed the “second phase” as the decisive factor, explaining,

“I would estimate that at least 75 percent of the time—if not more—it’s not even about the initial contact but rather the second phase that proves decisive. It’s the killer.”

This vulnerability manifested when Wolves defender Santiago Bueno capitalised on a rebound after Alisson Becker parried a header from Tolu Arokodare, scoring shortly after the break in Saturday’s 2-1 victory.​

The statistic underscores the severity: Liverpool have now conceded 12 set-piece goals in 18 league games, matching the unwanted record, while netting just three (excluding penalties) for a league-worst minus-nine differential.​

Why does Van Dijk say it ‘hurts’ so much?

Virgil van Dijk expressed personal frustration post-Wolves, declaring, “It hurts,” after Bueno’s goal erased a two-goal lead built by Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz in the first half. As covered in Liverpool Echo, Van Dijk revealed internal discussions on the matter, hoping no psychological barrier has formed:

“We must work on improving that. Training is the only method to get better at it.”​

He stressed accountability, adding,

“Each of us must assume responsibility. Ultimately, it falls on the players. We can discuss our defensive and offensive strategies, but it boils down to the players’ contributions.”

Arne Slot echoed this in Mirror reporting, wryly noting,

“Regrettably, we might be the only side that rarely scores from set-pieces, and even more troubling, we consistently allow goals from them.”​

Van Dijk admitted discussions have occurred, stating,

“It hasn’t been sufficient. We all understand that and have had discussions about it. We need to rectify this. That’s why we focus on it in nearly every training session.”​

How has this issue affected recent Liverpool games?

The problem surfaced starkly against Wolves, who sit second-bottom with two points, yet nearly salvaged a draw from a corner – the 12th such concession. Previously, Richarlison exploited a similar failure for Tottenham, compounding the trend.​

As detailed by Liverpool.com, the first half saw “everyone outstanding,” with Gravenberch and Wirtz scoring, but second-half lapses allowed Wolves belief. Van Dijk lamented poor game management:

“It’s an area we must improve. It involves training and learning from our experiences to better handle situations like we faced on Saturday. We will analyze and discuss it.”​

Despite this, Liverpool’s upturn – wins over Brighton, Spurs, and Wolves after early inconsistency – has built momentum under Slot, propelling them into the top four, albeit 10 points behind Arsenal.​

What recent form has Liverpool shown amid struggles?

Leeds face a Liverpool side unbeaten in six Premier League outings, including successive fortnight victories over Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wolves. Van Dijk dismissed December table obsession:

“There’s no value in focusing on the table in December. Our aim is to establish consistency and secure victories. There are numerous matches ahead, including the FA Cup and the Champions League.”​

He praised new signing Florian Wirtz’s adaptation:

“I was very happy for him. He played a very good game… He’s adapting to playing for Liverpool and understanding our objectives as a team. He’s getting accustomed to the intensity. I noticed he had some cramping after about 70 minutes… It was a vital goal for us.”

Looking ahead, Van Dijk noted Dominik Szoboszlai’s return and Joe Gomez’s potential fitness for Leeds, calling upcoming games against Fulham, Arsenal, and FA Cup ties “exciting.”​

Early season woes, including a 17-goal concession in 11 games and sluggish starts, have receded, though set-pieces persist.​

Can Leeds United exploit this against Liverpool?

Mark Carruthers of Yorkshire Evening Post highlighted Van Dijk’s admission as a potential opening for Leeds on New Year’s Day at Anfield. The Whites, buoyed by recent lessons from Sunderland and others, meet a Reds side where set-pieces have repeatedly undone dominance.​

Van Dijk directly linked it to the fixture: “now we look forward to New Year’s Day against Leeds United at Anfield.” With Liverpool’s minus-nine set-piece record – worst in the league – and Leeds’ attacking threats, the visitors could target corners and free-kicks.​

Slot’s candour on rarely scoring yet often conceding from dead balls amplifies the opportunity, though Liverpool’s overall resurgence poses a stern test.​

What solutions is Van Dijk proposing?

Virgil van Dijk outlined a clear path: “It’s something we have to improve… It’s about repetition, training, and analysis.” He quantified the second-phase focus:

“at least 75 per cent of the time, or even more, it’s not even about the first contact. It’s the second phase that is the killer.”​

Player-led responsibility features prominently:

“Every single one of us must assume responsibility… it ultimately comes down to the effort the players put forth.”

Training emphasis is daily, per Van Dijk: “We focus on it in nearly every training session.”​

Broader game management, including second-half control, requires analysis: “We will analyze and discuss it… It’s a process, and we need to persist.”​

How does Arne Slot view the set-piece woes?

As reported in the Mirror, Arne Slot candidly addressed the anomaly:

“We have defended numerous set-pieces very effectively. However, the reality is that we have let in too many goals from set pieces while not scoring enough ourselves.”

Slot smiled wryly at the imbalance, tying it to recent concessions like Bueno’s and Richarlison’s.​

Earlier critiques of Slot’s tactics – post-November struggles with 17 goals conceded in 11 games – have softened with the win streak, though set-pieces remain a “significant concern.”​

Slot’s no-blame approach persists, focusing on plans over player effort.