Virgil van Dijk Addresses Growing Liverpool Concerns Over Set Pieces

Liverpool Concerns Emerge Again at Set Pieces

Liverpool’s progress under Arne Slot continues to gather momentum, yet familiar concerns refuse to fade quietly. Even in victory, warning signs persist, and Virgil van Dijk has been clear in his assessment. The 2 to 1 home win over Wolves should have been routine. Instead, it became another example of how fragile moments can still undermine authority.

First half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz had Anfield relaxed. Liverpool moved the ball sharply, controlled territory and looked on course for a comfortable afternoon. Then came a corner, a second phase, and suddenly nerves. Santiago Bueno reacted quickest after Alisson Becker saved the initial header, reducing the deficit and shifting momentum.

That Wolves goal mattered not just for the scoreline, but for what it represented. Liverpool have now conceded more Premier League goals from set pieces than any other side. Their set piece balance stands at minus nine, the worst in the division. For a team aspiring to sustain elite standards, those numbers demand attention.

Virgil van Dijk on Responsibility and Repetition

Van Dijk did not seek excuses. Instead, the captain spoke with clarity and accountability, acknowledging both effort and failure within the same breath.

“There have been plenty of games when we have defended them very well. But the fact is we’ve conceded too many set-piece goals and we don’t score enough.

“It’s about repetition, training, analysing… it’s something we have to improve. I’d say at least 75% of the time or even more, it’s not even about the first contact, it’s the second phase that is the killer.

“Is it a mental thing? I hope not. If that’s in your head then it’s an issue. Personally, it’s not in my head.

“We have defended so many set-pieces very well. But the fact is we’ve conceded too many goals like that and it hurts. We have to improve that. Training is the only way to get better at it.”

His emphasis on second balls speaks volumes. Modern Premier League margins are often settled not by structure, but by reactions. Liverpool’s failure to reset after the first clearance remains a recurring concern.

Photo: IMAGO

Game Management Still a Work in Progress

Beyond dead ball defending, Van Dijk also highlighted game management. Wolves were allowed encouragement when Liverpool should have slowed the contest, controlled tempo, and suffocated belief.

“It’s something we have to improve,” he said. “It’s about training and using our experiences to get better at dealing with situations like Saturday.

“We will analyse and speak about it. I know it sounds easy but it’s a difficult thing to do. It’s a process and we have to keep trying to do it. If it was easy then we would have sorted it already.”

Slot’s Liverpool are evolving, but evolution brings moments of imbalance. The calm authority required to close matches remains a developing skill within a relatively new system.

Florian Wirtz Boosts Liverpool Belief

Amid the concerns, there was genuine positivity. Florian Wirtz finally opened his Liverpool account on his 23rd appearance, and his performance hinted at growing influence.

“I was very happy for him,” said Van Dijk. “He played a very good game. Everyone was outstanding in the first half. It’s great to see and hopefully many more to come from him.

“I think he runs almost everywhere. At times on the left, at times in the middle. He’s a very intelligent player who is so comfortable on the ball. He finds space between the lines and can be very important.

“He’s getting used to playing for Liverpool and what we want to do as a team. He’s getting used to the intensity. After about 70 minutes I think he had some cramp. It’s part of the game. He just has to keep going. It was an important goal for us and now on to New Year’s Day.”

Liverpool are unbeaten in seven, back in the top four, and facing a demanding run. Van Dijk, characteristically, urged focus over fixation.

“There’s no point looking at the table in December. We just need to try to find consistency and wins.”

The challenge is clear. Liverpool’s ceiling remains high, but concerns around set pieces and control must be resolved if ambition is to turn into achievement.