Liverpool boast attacking qualities with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Ben Doak, but they have a hidden weapon which has already proved fruitful this season.
Opponents have good reason to prioritize the threat of the Reds’ offensive trio, whoever that may be. With the threat posed by the new midfield, three problems quickly become five and six for Jürgen Klopp’s side.
In recent years, the Reds have enjoyed further success beyond their attack, topping the charts for goals from set pieces. Such a revelation comes as no real surprise to Liverpool fans, as Klopp highlighted it as a key path to success when he first took over. Despite a poor campaign last season, Liverpool top the table with 17 goals from set pieces. After a comfortable win over Aston Villa, the Reds head into the international break in high spirits as this triumph saw them enter the break unbeaten and just two points clear of the Premier League summit.
Diaz was one of Liverpool’s brightest prospects after four games and Salah was still at his best, scoring a goal in Sunday’s win over the Villains. Earlier in the season, Nunez won the game after coming on as a second-half substitute in the comeback win over Newcastle United.
Now that the enforced break has begun, there is food for thought, including the last four action-packed fixtures. A quiet optimism grows on and off the pitch at Anfield as their attack transforms into open play and transition.
Liverpool look threatening from set pieces and in games against Bournemouth and Aston Villa the potential of those situations could have produced a much healthier goal tally.
This season, Liverpool have scored three goals from sets, including free kicks and corners, two of which came in Sunday’s win over
Villa.
