Liverpool were again suspect in their defending as Newcastle striker William Osula made it 2-2 on Monday night, with Virgil van Dijk leading their high line.
But Arne Slot has defended his captain’s decision to push his line higher up the pitch, which allowed Dan Burn to make a flick-on and Osula to run through for the finish.
Liverpool went on to win 3-2, rendering that goal worthless, but it again highlighted the issues in Slot’s setup in these early weeks of the season.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the head coach admitted it was “definitely the wrong decision” to play a high line given Newcastle‘s approach.
“I don’t think it’s fair to blame Virgil, it’s a combination. He has contact with us on the bench,” Slot explained.
“All the other ones were further up the pitch, so we know what their idea is: they bring the ball to the ‘D’, Dan Burn is there attacking the ball, trying to make it difficult.
“There were a lot of difficult situations for us coming off that, so either a second ball or a throw-in or another corner kick.
“So at that moment in time we decided that, because the ball was so deep, it was smarter not to get a second ball inside our 18-yard box again.
“But that was definitely the wrong decision in that moment looking back at it.”
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk look dejected after conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That lapse in judgment could cast eyes back to Liverpool’s failure to appoint a specialist set-piece last summer, with first-team individual development coach Aaron Briggs instead trusted with the organisation.
While there have been moments of real inspiration with set-pieces since Briggs took the responsibility, it has remained an area with scope for improvement.
It is certainly interesting that it was Van Dijk’s call to lead a high line in such a situation, given these will have been the subject of in-depth meetings at the AXA Training Centre in the buildup.
But with Slot taking the onus off his captain and shouldering the blame as a collective, it acknowledges that work is needed – particularly as Arsenal, known for their set-piece prowess, are next up on Sunday.