Liverpool head coach Arne Slot finds no joy in the football currently being played in the Premier League but has accepted it is "the new reality".
Setpieces have become the dominant factor, with leaders Arsenal having proved for some time that they can provide a profitable route to success.
There was even an element of 'if you can't beat them, join them’ on Saturday as [Liverpool became only the second team in Premier League history to score from three first-half corners in beating West Ham as a change in tactics to whip the ball in towards the goalkeeper paid dividends.](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0301/1561043-mac-allister-sees-run-in-as-liverpools-proving-ground/)
Slot is no fan of the current trend but accepted it has made the league more competitive.
"First of all you have to accept it. I think it is mainly here in the Premier League; if I watch other leagues I don’t think there is so much emphasis on setpieces," he said.
"It’s funny for me if I watch Eredivisie games I see goals being disallowed or fouls on goalkeepers being given and I am like, ‘wow, that’s a big difference’. Here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face the referee will say just go on.
"Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. Now most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch.
"But it is always interesting because it is so competitive and that’s what makes this league great because there is so much competitiveness – everyone can win against everyone.
"Not only because of setpieces but also because teams have become so much stronger. Three or four years ago when top clubs faced 18th, 17th, 16th, 15th it could have been four or five-goal difference but that is not the situation any more.
"Maybe in five or 10 years’ time things will change again but I wouldn’t be surprised if you went to an under-16s game somewhere, Sunday League football, if you see teams completely being focused on setpieces. That’s the new reality."
Slot will see that competitiveness first-half when they travel to bottom side Wolves, who won only their second league match of the season against then third-placed Aston Villa on Friday, for the first of two trips to the Black Country with an FA Cup tie to come on Friday.
But Liverpool are in decent form having won seven of their last nine in all competitions, with four wins in five league matches having put them just three points behind third-placed Manchester United.
Slot spoke before West Ham about his forwards not producing enough, and although Mohamed Salah’s record Premier League drought was extended to 10 matches, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo both scored.
For the latter, in particular, the goal was important as it was only his second in the league since November and he had been under scrutiny for a while.
"I was happy because it was the 4-1 goal so that gave us an even more comfortable cushion, but even more happy for him to score because I think he needed that goal," Slot added.
"I don’t think his confidence was gone or away in that regard but I did see a few times recently that he maybe made different decisions that I’m used to from him.
"That doesn’t always have to mean it’s a lack of confidence but when players are not scoring for a longer and longer (time) they start to think more about their direction, and overthinking is not the best thing you can do."
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