Boss hails Virgil's role as set-pieces gain importance

ARNE SLOT has praised the renewed attacking threat of Virgil van Dijk as he again highlighted the importance of set-pieces.

- By IAN DOYLE

Van Dijk netted his second goal in five outings when heading in Mohamed Salah’s corner for the winner in the 1-0 triumph at Sunderland on Wednesday.

The skipper’s similar strike at Bournemouth last month was Liverpool's first goal from a corner all season, with the defending champions having become an increasing threat from dead-ball situations with eight in their last six games in all competitions.

And Slot said: "Virgil has already scored a few important goals for us from set-pieces so he is a big threat in the air offensively, and defensively he is really important for us not to concede.

"I hope he will score many more from us from set-pieces this season."