Long throws are currently enjoying a dramatic renaissance in the Premier League, reminiscent of the days of Rory Delap and Stoke City. Statistics show the number of long throw-ins per match has more than doubled from last season, marking a significant shift in tactics.
This trend is part of a wider move away from intricate build-up play; passing in the Premier League is at a 15-year low as teams are forced to go direct, quicker to bypass intense high pressing. The long throw is simply an extension of this desire to bypass the midfield.
While some pundits, like Jamie Carragher, and even game lawmakers are bemoaning the way long throw-ins disrupt the game, seeing them as a “low-brow, primitive shortcut,” results speak for themselves.
Brentford are the most prolific exponents, a factor in how the data-led club continues to punch above its weight. Crucially, it’s not just underdogs employing this weapon; Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are also embracing the tactic.
Liverpool’s Title Defence in Peril
The resurgence of direct, physical football, especially set-pieces, appears to be fundamentally destabilising the champions.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool knew exactly what they would face at Brentford, with the coach recently complaining the Reds “were not able to press the opponent because the ball wasn’t on the ground, it was in the air.” Yet, he had no effective answer to the tactics used by Brentford, Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
The 3-2 loss to Brentford followed a familiar pattern: Liverpool struggled to handle the “cannonballs chucked into their box,” lacked organisation in defensive transition, and failed to find attacking balance.
Key players like Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz have been shadows of their record-setting selves. While Slot experimented with a front-two system that saw Salah dropped during a recent Champions League win, a timely injury to Alexander Isak prevented him from reusing that framework against Brentford.
While Liverpool’s vast talent suggests they will eventually turn their form around, the continuous struggle to combat direct football has left their Premier League title defence hanging by a thread.
The Gunners’ Title March
In stark contrast, Arsenal are benefiting from their consistency and momentum, partly through their own improved set-piece efficiency and having a defence that’s comfortably the best in the league.
With rivals faltering, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool all suffered defeat recently—the Gunners have established a strong lead. Such is the Gunners’ consistency and momentum, coupled with the champions’ collapse, Liverpool’s Premier League title defence may already be over.
