Liverpool's Set-Piece Transformation: How Ronald Araújo Makes a Difference

Andoni Iraola did not hesitate. Asked where Liverpool’s new-found steel at dead balls had come from, he went straight to one name: Ronald Araújo.

Liverpool have turned one of last season’s great weaknesses into an early-season weapon. They have not conceded a single set-piece goal in the Premier League so far, and have been breached only once in all competitions from a dead ball – Conor Gallagher’s late header for Tottenham in a Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield in September.

For a club that spent last year flinching every time a corner was awarded, the transformation is stark. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool shipped 20 non-penalty set-piece goals in the league, the joint-worst record in the division alongside Crystal Palace and Iraola’s own Bournemouth. Corners felt like open invitations. Free-kicks around the box brought a familiar dread.

Now the tone has changed.

Iraola points to a collective effort behind the numbers. He namechecks his assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, and the club’s analysts, as the architects of a more disciplined, more aggressive structure at dead balls. But the presence of Araújo, the centre-back operating at right-back, has given that plan teeth.

“It definitely helps having a centre-back at right-back when we talk about defending set pieces,” Iraola said, with the possibility of Dominik Szoboszlai and Víctor Muñoz returning from injury to further stiffen his options. “It helps with the height and the physicality of the team.”

Liverpool have leaned into that physical profile. Araújo attacks the first ball, crowds the danger zone, and changes the aerial geometry in both six-yard box and penalty area. The trade-off is obvious and Iraola does not try to hide it.

“It helps us to defend better but it is true that you also lose a little bit offensively on the other side,” he admitted. “Offensively we cannot demand of Ronald the same thing as other full-backs and what they give us, but we have to balance this with other patterns.”

So Liverpool sacrifice some overlap and delivery on the right to gain control of the skies. For now, the numbers justify the compromise.

The real examination, though, comes on Sunday.

Arsenal: the ultimate set-piece test

If Liverpool have been almost flawless from dead balls, Arsenal are built to ruin that kind of record. Mikel Arteta’s side scored 25 non-penalty set-piece goals on their way to the title last season, bullying teams from corners and wide free-kicks with a rehearsed, relentless precision.

That machine has not fully clicked yet this year. Arsenal were curiously quiet from set plays in the opening weeks, only opening their account from a dead ball last weekend. The drought has ended, and Iraola does not expect it to resume.

“It is very early in the season and they hadn’t scored [from set pieces] until last weekend and now they have scored,” he said. “I hope they stay that way for a while but they are a big threat.”

The warning is clear. Arsenal bring size, timing and variety. Centre-backs surge into the box, midfielders attack the second phase, and deliveries are drilled with purpose rather than simply hung up and hoped for.

“From set pieces they are a big threat,” Iraola continued. “They have very tall players who are very good headers and they work it very well. They give you a big demand and I think we will have to defend very well.”

Liverpool’s numbers back his caution. They have, as Iraola put it, “touch wood”, dealt impressively with everything thrown at them so far this season. Blocks are made, clearances are decisive, and the chaos that once reigned in their own area has been replaced by something approaching calm.

But Arsenal are not Bournemouth, nor Palace, nor the sides Liverpool have shut out to date.

“I think we have, touch wood, dealt very well with defending set pieces so far this season,” Iraola said. “But Arsenal is probably the biggest challenge.”

Liverpool arrive with a spotless record. Arsenal arrive with a reputation. On Sunday, one of those will take a hit.