Liverpool manager Arne Slott admits he doesn’t enjoy watching most Premier League games due to the new set-piece-heavy style.
The changes in England’s top flight are largely due to league leaders Arsenal’s efficiency from set pieces. The Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1 at home on Sunday in a game where the quality of football was low but the wrestling on both sides was high.
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“First of all, we have to accept that. I think it’s mainly in the Premier League because if I look at other leagues, set-pieces aren’t taken as seriously,” Slott said when asked about the current state of English football.
“Do I like it? My footballing heart doesn’t like it. For me, 10 or 15 years ago I always looked forward to watching Barcelona every Sunday night, but for me now most of the Premier League games are no longer a pleasure to watch.”
“However, the games are always interesting because they are so competitive. That’s what makes this league great – anyone can beat anyone – but, as someone who enjoys watching football, the Premier League is very different to what it was three or four years ago.
“But we won’t change that. If you go and watch a Sunday league game now and see 16-year-olds completely focused on set-pieces, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
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The Reds are currently building momentum to secure a place in next season’s Champions League after a poor start to the season and are looking to beat Wolves away from home in back-to-back games in the league and FA Cup at Molineux.
However, Sloter will have to do it without Florian Wirtz, who has not played since the 3-0 win over Brighton on Valentine’s Day: “We hope he will be back sometime next week, maybe a little earlier or a little later, but that’s the time frame.”