Leeds and Liverpool have had contrasting seasons when it comes to set-piece success
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
06:00, 01 Jan 2026
Daniel Farke and Arne Slot
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Daniel Farke knows Leeds are strong from set pieces(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Daniel Farke says Leeds United must be aware of Liverpool’s ability from dead balls this evening, despite the defending champions sacking their set-piece coach amid their poor record.
The Reds have scored just three Premier League goals from set-pieces this season, with only Wolves holding a worse return. At the other end, heading into the midweek batch of fixtures, no other team had conceded more goals from dead balls than Liverpool’s 12.
Leeds topped the set-piece chart with 12 goals scored and were still joint top with 10 when penalties were taken out of the equation. On Tuesday, Liverpool sacked Aaron Briggs, who had been appointed as a set-piece specialist.
Farke, though, insists this will have little bearing on how tonight's match will play out. “I wouldn't label it that it's an area where we have a strong look at especially for this game,” he said.
"It's an area where we are always focused and concentrated, because we know that we have big strength in this.
“With the work Edmund [Riemer, Leeds assistant coach leading set-piece training] and these guys are doing, I think they are fantastic anyhow.
"We know that we are a very, very strong set piece team. But I wouldn't say that this is especially very beneficial against Liverpool.
“I think sometimes you have a period when it's also a bit of a coincidence that they have conceded a few out of set pieces.
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"Because normally, with the players that they have - Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and so on - normally they are a side who are unbelievably strong in set pieces. Also Hugo Ekitike, who can score goals out of this.”
Farke added: “So in this game, it's definitely a topic that we want to be competitive in defending this moment.
"If we have the chance with good possession to create a corner or a wide area free-kick or central free-kick for us, of course, then we are also looking to show our strength in this. But I'm still very, very respectful of the threat that they have in both boxes.”