22/02/2026

theSun on Sunday FEB 22, 2026

SPORTS 14

Reds solve set-piece problem

goals against Forest since their return to the competition in 2022 have been scored from set-pieces. In Vitor Pereira, Slot is facing his third differ ent Forest manager in four matches but is still looking for his first win, having lost one and drawn one to Nuno Espirito Santo and been defeated by Sean Dyche at home earlier this season. “Back then (in November) they were in a different management as well because I think it was Sean Dyche’s third or fourth game,” added Slot. “That sometimes makes it a little bit more difficult because we only have (one game) to see if this manager changes personnel, changes tactics but we, of course, know him because he worked last season in the Premier League as well.” – The Independent

BY CARL MARKHAM

LIVERPOOL head coach Arne Slot believes the team’s set-piece performance has returned to “normal” following a significant improvement in recent weeks. The balance between goals conceded and scored from set-pieces had been a persistent problem for the club this season, culminating in the dismissal of individual development coach Aaron Briggs in late December due to ongoing under-performance in the role. Since Briggs’ departure, the situation has

We all knew that it couldn’t go on like that because we hardly gave away a chance in set-pieces but every ball went in and we created multiple opportunities to score and the ball didn’t go in. “So that things go back to normal now, it’s something which we expected. We didn’t change that much, maybe made one or two slight changes. “What changed is things went back to normal, because in the Champions League I think we were number one in set-pieces.” Liverpool particularly struggled defensively against Premier League opposition set-pieces and that will be tested again at Nottingham Forest today (10pm), although inter estingly five of their eight League

improved markedly, though Slot was quick to clarify that this was not a reflec tion on the former coach. In the first 26 matches of the season, Liverpool conceded 13 goals from set pieces while scoring only eight. However, in the subsequent 12 games following Briggs’ exit, they have conceded just two goals from set-pieces, maintaining their tally of eight scored. “It would be very unfair to (blame) Aaron, who was partly responsible for that because, (because) in the

end I’m responsible for everything,” said the Dutchman. “We’ve been in that period of time (being) so unlucky.

6094/2026

21/02/2026 (SAT)

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Draw Date: 21/02/26 (Sat)

Draw No: 6041/26 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

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RM3,564,345.70

Carefree City Pep not bothered about EPL table

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BY ELEANOR CROOKS

are revitalised,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of months with few days off. “I don’t have to run one metre so for me it’s not a problem, after one or two days I sleep well, it’s enough. The players have trained good the last two days.” One of City’s key players over the last month has been Antoine Semenyo, who has fitted seamlessly into the side following his move from Bournemouth. Guardiola has been delighted with the form of the forward, saying: “It’s not just scoring a lot of goals in people that play up front. “The versatility, he can play in all three positions, we knew it, and in Bournemouth they are exceptional in the rhythm and defensively so he has it in his DNA. The impact has been really good. “He’s never played in the Champions League before and it’s a good test for him how he’ll react, but I’m pretty sure, with his mentality, he will handle that quite well.” Guardiola, meanwhile, was also asked about the unsavoury scenes at the Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid, where Vinicius Junior was allegedly racially abused. “There’s a lot of work to do,” said Guardiola. “Racism is everywhere. Pay a lot to the teachers. The teachers and the doctors have to be the most important people in society by far, not the managers.” – The Independent

RM885,833.30

PEP GUARDIOLA (pic) insisted he “could not care less” about the tightening of the Premier League title race. With a game in hand and a meeting with rivals Arsenal to come in April, Manchester City know, if they win all their remaining games, they will be champions again after the Gunners let a lead slip to draw against Wolves in midweek. Asked whether he feels City now have a better chance than they did a couple of months ago, Guardiola said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen these next 12 games. “I didn’t speak one second about that with my players. “I didn’t talk about the table, I didn’t talk about the position. I could not care less. You tell me this question with two games left, three games left, I will have your answer. “It’s 12 games left, it’s an eternity. Many things is going to happen is the only truth I have.” Guardiola also batted away the suggestion his side’s experience of winning titles will come to the fore, adding: “Seventy per cent of the players are new so they don’t have experience to live these kind of situations.” City enjoyed a rare midweek off, with Guardiola admitting they were exhausted ahead of last weekend’s FA Cup clash against Salford. “The important thing is the players

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