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Set-pieces are an important part of football. A game that remains cagey and deadlocked could very well see the tide shift in one side's favour with a set-piece. Free-kicks, penalties, throw-ins and corner kicks put the defending team in jeopardy and they cannot afford to rest on their laurels or switch off for a second.
In the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final, Liverpool's decisive fourth goal in a stunning comeback win over Barcelona came from a corner.
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold observed that the Catalans had switched off as he moved towards the corner flag. He quickly took a corner kick for Divock Origi to steal a march on the Barcelona defenders and slot the ball home before they could react.
Barcelona's famous 6-1 remontada in the Champions League 2016-17 over PSG ended with a Sergi Roberto tap-in at the end of a floated free-kick. That's why set-piece specialists are an essential component of a football team.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best set-piece takers in football right now.
#5 Trent-Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best attacking right-backs in the world. Though the defensive side of his game is a bit lacking in certain departments, it's hard to find a full-back who is better at whipping balls into the box than him.
The 22-year-old delivers David Beckham-esque balls from the flanks and his set-pieces are similar to the Manchester United legend's as well. He is Liverpool's designated corner-kick taker and one of their chief weapons from direct free-kick scenarios.
The Englishman knows how to produce the right amount of flight and curl on his deliveries from set-pieces. In fact, it is his set-piece abilities that make Liverpool a major threat from free-kicks inside their attacking half.
#4 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos is one of the most technically proficient players in the world. His technique is beyond compare and is one of the best passers in the game. Naturally, the German international is a first-choice corner taker and free-kick taker for Los Blancos.
Kroos' latest goal from Real Madrid was a direct-free kick against arch-rivals Barcelona from right outside the area. The 31-year-old can curl into the top bin or even smash it in.
Thanks to his flair for passing, the Real Madrid midfielder is also brilliant at delivering balls into the box from corners.
#3 Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain talisman Neymar is a joy to watch on the football pitch. He is one of those players who makes football look easy with his incredible trickery and unmatched technical artistry.
Neymar was so good at set-pieces during his time with Barcelona that he used to share set-piece duties with the great Lionel Messi. He has kicked on in the same vein since joining PSG and provides first-rate service from corners and other set-pieces.
The Brazilian played an instrumental role in Brazil's run to the finals of the recently concluded Copa America. He was their designated set-piece taker and delivered some wonderful balls into the box from corners throughout the tournament.
He is one of the best dead-ball specialists in the world and has now committed to Paris Saint-Germain until 2025.
#2 James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse is arguably the best free-kick taker in the Premier League. Inspired by David Beckham, Ward-Prowse has been perfecting his technique over the course of his career thus far. Speaking of Beckham, he said:
“Beckham was the one for me. Not only his free-kicks but his overall image. I copied every haircut, I wanted his boots, I wanted to wear his number. He was the guy that I looked up to and thought: ‘Wow.’ He had that effect on me and inspired me to try and take free-kicks."
Not only has he banged in some spectacular goals from direct free-kicks, he also delivers some wonderful balls from corners. He has already moved ahead of greats like Nolberto Solano, Jamie Redknapp and Frank Lampard.
The Englishman scored five direct free-kicks in the 2020-21 season alone. The 26-year-old lining up to take set-pieces is a scary sight for all Premier League defenders and goalkeepers.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi is currently the player who has scored the most goals from direct free-kicks among active players. Taking free-kicks is a skill that Messi added to his repertoire a few years after he had already become a star.
There were brilliant free-kick takers at Barcelona during Messi's initial years. The likes of Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to name a few, were all pretty good from set-piece situations.
But Messi is on a different level. He can find the back of the net from even 35-yards out. The interesting thing is that he curls it into the top corner most of the time.
Messi does not do knuckleballs or smash them in. He likes taking the old-fashioned route and when he pulls it off, it is hard to find a sight that's more satisfying on the football pitch. The Barcelona legend is also brilliant at swinging balls in from corners.
He recently moved ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo for goals scored from direct free-kicks with his 58th at the recently concluded Copa America 2021.
