Set piece goals concern Slot as Liverpool taste defeat for first time

Arne Slot admitted his Liverpool side need to work on how to defend set pieces better as their perfect start to the season ended with a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Palace dominated the first half and went ahead as Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball home, with Slot’s men failing to clear their lines from a Palace corner.

Liverpool improved after the break and came up with another late goal through Federico Chiesa, as the Italian looked to have salvaged a draw n the 87th minute.

But Palace grabbed all three points as ex-Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah found the net at the back post with virtually the last kick of the game, and Palace’s latest goal in Premier League history, with Slot wanting his side to improve their defending going forward.

The Dutchman told BBC Sport: "If you want to compete you need a very positive balance with set pieces and even more in this league.

“It was one of our biggest strengths last season, now we have conceded two against Newcastle and two here. But this league is more and more and more about set pieces."

Slot acknowledged that the champions were well below par in the first half and fortunate not to be further behind, as he praised the characteristics of the home side who are now the only side unbeaten in the Premier League.

"It was a very difficult first half,” he said.

 “They did really well and deserved to be 1-0 up, we were lucky it was only 1-0.

"Second half it was the opposite. It took a while before we scored, and we did with a few minutes left. But from a second set piece they won the game.

"Their game style fits really well to their players as they have a low block with fast players on the break and a big man in Mateta.

“We had a lot of problems in the first half. The rest of time we had possession but very hard to beat that low block."

Oliver Glasner revelled in Palace’s victory as they continued their brilliant start to the campaign, with this win leaving them second in the table.

The reigning FA Cup winners are now unbeaten in their last 18 matches, which is the joint-best in the club history.

He said to Sky Sports: “Winning is always a great result but when it is against the champions it is even even better.

“We played the best first half since I arrived. We were 1-0 up teams like Liverpool are able to strike back.

“The pressure was high and then they got the equaliser. But huge credit to the players, we struck back and got the winner at the end.

"These are the moments why we love football. The fans will have a great Saturday evening now."