Jamie Carragher has highlighted a surprising area of strength for Liverpool this season that has flown under the radar: their improved set-piece execution. The former Reds defender praised the team's progress after Virgil van Dijk's crucial headed equalizer against Aston Villa, a goal that came from a beautifully delivered free-kick by Dominik Szoboszlai.

The match at Villa Park was largely defined by dead-ball situations. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for the hosts with a well-worked corner routine, while Ollie Watkins restored Villa's lead after a costly slip from Szoboszlai. Despite the defensive lapses, it was Liverpool's set-piece quality that caught Carragher's eye.

"Liverpool haven't excelled much this season, but one thing they have excelled at has been set pieces," Carragher noted during Sky Sports commentary. This marks a significant turnaround from earlier in the campaign, when the team's vulnerability from set pieces led to the dismissal of coach Aaron Briggs. The Reds have since tightened up, with Van Dijk's goal serving as a prime example of their newfound efficiency in these situations.

While Liverpool's overall form has been inconsistent—marked by defensive frailties, a lack of attacking fluency, and a noticeable absence of the control Arne Slot typically demands—their set-piece improvement offers a glimmer of hope. Currently, only five Premier League sides have conceded more goals than Liverpool's 52 this season, underscoring the challenges they face. Yet, if the Reds can build on this set-piece success, it could become a valuable weapon as they look to steady their campaign.