Owen Hargreaves believes Liverpool have three players who should make them a ‘huge threat’ from set-pieces. The Reds showed it against Napoli on Tuesday.
Liverpool beat Napoli on Tuesday and it came from set-pieces. Though, they were very close to conceding from one themselves. The Italians had one chalked off for a marginal offside after a very long VAR wait.
But in the end, the Reds found their own set-piece threat. Darwin Nunez forced a save from Alex Meret that Mohamed Salah turned home for Liverpool’s first. Virgil van Dijk then sent a header towards goal that Nunez converted for 2-0.
Owen Hargreaves, doing punditry for BT Sport, was impressed after the game. He believes Liverpool have the tools to be a ‘huge threat from set-pieces and that could help turn their season around.
“With Van Dijk and Nunez and [Ibrahima] Konaté and the big presence that they have, they’re a huge threat from set-pieces,” said Hargreaves. “If the delivery is good, like it was from [Kostas] Tsimikas [against Napoli], those guys can go and attack the ball.
“Liverpool should be one of the best teams in the Premier League on set-pieces. Keep clean sheets, and set-pieces and Mo Salah is more than enough firepower.”
Liverpool from set-pieces
Hargreaves is absolutely right and this is one of the many reasons Nunez can be such a transformative signing. Usually, Liverpool rely on Van Dijk as their primary threat from corners and free-kicks.
That’s been enough, too, with Konaté adding to that threat last season. Liverpool’s set-piece record has been good simply by relying on their centre-backs.
But with Nunez in there, too? Few defences could handle that, especially with Liverpool boasting such great delivery. Napoli certainly couldn’t and it’s absolutely a feature of their play that Jurgen Klopp should lean into.
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