'Impossible' to finish in top four with current set-piece record - Slot

Liverpool boss Arne Slot says it will be "impossible" for his side to finish in the Premier League top four if they continue their current set-piece record.

Only Bournemouth [12] have conceded more than the Reds' [11] goals from set-pieces so far this season.

"I know the importance of it, it gets more and more, and that's why we are so annoyed by our current record," Slot said.

"It's a big frustration we are where we are this season because when we were halfway through last season we had not conceded one set-piece [goal].

"It's impossible to be top four, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.

"We are the only team in the top end of the table that has a negative set-piece balance [Manchester City are in fact on minus-one according to official data supplier Opta]. Not only are we negative, we are minus-eight and still on equal points with fourth.

"But if we are minus-eight - Chelsea is I think plus-eight [actually plus-four] and Arsenal and [Manchester] United are very high [both on 10] and if you look at that you could say how special it is we have as many points as we have if you have that set-piece balance.

"We all know why because in open chances created we are number one in the league."

Injuries also remain an issue for Slot, with the news Alexander Isak will join Joe Gomez and Waturu Endo in being sidelined through injury following Mohamed Salah's departure to Afcon.

With Dominik Szoboszlai also suspended for the visit of Wolves on Saturday, and Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley facing late fitness tests, Slot hopes the rest of his squad can step up.

"It is time for the players we do have available to do what they have done so many times and roll their sleeves up," he added.

"Not only our players but our fans as well. The players who are available need to give everything they have."