Arne Slot believes set-pieces could make the difference for Liverpool as he aims to win the first silverware of his Anfield tenure. The Reds take on Newcastle United in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon looking to retain the trophy they won so thrillingly against Chelsea last season.
An injury-hit Liverpool triumphed through a Virgil van Dijk header from a Kostas Tsimikas corner just minutes from the end of extra time to win the competition for a record-breaking 10th time.
And Slot pointed to the Reds' narrow Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as further evidence of the difference dead-ball situations can make in closely-fought matches.
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"This final tells me the importance of set-pieces," said the Reds boss. "We had 13 set-pieces against PSG and we came so, so, so close to scoring a goal and in the end hit the post.
"These are the margins of football. And we all know, especially after what Arsenal have done the last few years in this league, the importance of set-pieces has become more obvious."
Of last season's League Cup final, Slot added: "Feyenoord were playing that day, but the final was played a bit later. Maybe I saw some highlights.
"I do remember texting Pepijn (Lijnders) afterwards because I knew how much the Academy meant and still means for him. For the whole club but definitely also for him it was a big moment that all these Academy players were on the pitch and winning a final.
"It was a special day for the club, as it always is when you play in a final."
Sunday's game will be Slot's first visit to Wembley in any capacity, and will also be his debut experience of leading a team out as is traditional for finals in England. But the Liverpool boss has played down the personal significance of the gesture.
"I'm proud not because of that walk of 50m, 100m, whatever it is, I'm always proud to be the manager of this team," he said. "I don't need to walk out with them to feel proud. On Tuesday I felt really proud as well because of how hard our players worked.
"It's nice to lead the team out but I always feel, even if I'm not walking with them, that I have to lead the team. Ask me afterwards what feeling I have about that. After my two-match suspension I'm happy to be on the line again."
Slot added: "I'm look forward to it a lot, not only because it's a final with Liverpool but because it's at Wembley, an iconic stadium for English people but also for Dutch people. It's a great occasion to be in.
"I've never been before. My first memory of the stadium is when Ronald Koeman scored for Barcelona their winner in the Champions League (against Sampdoria in 1992). After that some Holland v England games, including the Euros game when Paul Gascoigne was really good.
"Especially after losing to Paris Saint-Germain, we are really looking forward to playing the final against a very good and well-managed team by Eddie Howe in Newcastle."
And, speaking to LFC TV, Slot also had a message for the tens of thousands of Liverpool supporters who are expected to descend upon the capital over the weekend.
"On Tuesday it wasn't only the two teams who played on the pitch that were impressive," he said. "Both sets of fans were impressive as well. We can expect the same on Sunday.
"The only thing we can ask for is give us the same support as they always do. If they do this then hopefully it brings the best out of our players and hopefully we can have a bit more luck than we did on Tuesday."
