#set-pieces

#set-pieces

No, not for this game [Newcastle], they are recovering. I don't think it will take a lot of time, I think Kobbie will return faster than Bruno.

Liverpool's hopes of retaining the Premier League title in 2025/26 are all but dead and buried - and it's only December. The team have been on a torrid run of late, losing nine of their last 13 matches in all competitions, with the likelihood of being crowned back-to-back champions now decidedly slim. Slot's men are only nine points off the early pace set by league leaders Arsenal but six league defeats from their opening 13 Premier League fixtures this season paints a very different picture.

We work a lot. We have more time to work, we work a lot and we learn a lot in England,

They are extremely dangerous when they turn over the play and are also a threat from set pieces.

The interesting thing is that probably both Mikel and I would like a little bit more control, but it will probably be a madhouse and very, very enjoyable to watch for the outside people or fans. I expect a difficult game of course, but a game that can go anywhere and anything can happen in games like that. Everything also evens out a little bit more because it's so competitive and the atmosphere in the stadium.

Marcus Rashford has taken no time to win over the Barcelona faithful. The English forward, currently on loan from Manchester United, has adapted brilliantly to his new life, making an instant impact both in front of goal and as a creator. With six goals and eight assists already to his name, Rashford has stepped up whenever Raphinha or Robert Lewandowski have been unavailable, proving to be one of Hansi Flick's most effective attacking weapons.

Michael Kayode trots over from right-back to the opposite flank to take the throw-in. He dries the ball, measures his run, steps back and then in one languid fluid movement hurls the ball in to the near post. Liverpool clear. Two minutes later, it happens again. This time, Mamardashvili tries to play the ball to Bradley, who miscontrols to concede the throw-in. And this time, Kayode's throw is flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer and volleyed home by Dango Ouattara.

Much has been made of Arsenal being overly reliant on goals from set pieces this season, but Manchester City are even more reliant on Erling Haaland. The Norway international has been in fantastic form this season, scoring 15 goals in his first 12 games in all competitions. In the Premier League, he has 11 in 9 games, and stats show that's 65% of Man City's total goals scored.

We don't celebrate defeat, but the performance was exceptional. We have to celebrate that. I think the way in which the players executed the gameplan, we haven't conceded from open play. The first one [goal] is frustrating because I think it's really preventable from our point of view, but we'll learn from that. It's 2-0, we're still in the tie. There are improvements to be made, but, overall, I'm really proud of the group.