JAKARTA - Liverpool manager Arne Slot said it was impossible for the Reds to be in the top four with a poor record in dead balls.
Liverpool enter Christmas behind Chelsea in fourth place on goal difference as their effectiveness from open play has offset problems in conceding from free-kicks, corners and throw-ins.
The Reds only scored three goals from dead balls while conceding 11 goals from dead balls in the league this season. That was the point that made Arne Slot frustrated.
"I know how important it is. The longer the better. That's why we are so upset with our record at the moment. It's a big frustration we are in this position this season."
"When we were in the middle of last season (winning the league), we hadn't conceded a single goal from a dead ball. It's impossible to be in the top four, top five, with our dead ball balance, let alone winning the league."
"We are the only top team with a negative dead ball balance (Manchester City is at minus one according to official data provider Opta)."
"We are not only negative, but minus eight and still have the same points as the fourth-ranked team. If we are minus eight, Chelsea I think plus eight (actually plus four) as well as Arsenal and Manchester United are very high (scoring 10 goals from dead balls)."
"You can say how special we are to have as many points as we have if you have those kind of dead ball points."
"We all know why. Because in the open opportunities created, we are number one in the league," said Arne Slot.
Meanwhile, injuries remain a pressing concern for the Dutchman, with news that Alexander Isak will be out for several months after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury and a broken bone in his left lower leg.
He hopes Cody Gakpo and full-back Conor Bradley are fit enough to return after injuries ahead of the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but rates their chances as 50:50.
With Mohamed Salah at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, defender Joe Gomez absent due to a hamstring injury, Wataru Endo has a foot problem, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended, Arne Slot's thin squad will be tested during the festive season.
"It's time for the available players to do what they have done many times and work hard. Not only our players, but also our supporters."
"The available players need to give everything they have," said Arne Slot.
There is speculation that Liverpool could bring Harvey Elliott back from an unhappy loan spell at Aston Villa, where he has not played since October 2025 and does not appear to be in Unai Emery's plans.
However, it is understood that the Reds have no recall clause in the deal. There is only an obligation (Aston Villa) to buy for £35 million after making a certain number of appearances although that seems unlikely now.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
