Arne Slot believes improvements in fitness and set pieces are the two key reasons for Liverpool's recent upturn in form.

The Reds have won five of their last seven matches in all competitions (L2), while their only two losses in 2026 were stoppage-time defeats against Bournemouth and Manchester City in the Premier League.

Liverpool are three points off the top four in sixth ahead of their trip to relegation battlers Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Slot's side have built plenty of momentum since their defeat to City, becoming the first team to win at the Stadium of Light in the league this season before beating Brighton 3-0 to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Dutch coach was complimentary of his side and how they have improved over the last few months.

"We've improved compared to three or four months ago," said Slot.

"I would even include the Bournemouth game because, apart from the goals we conceded, we had total control with dominance, we had a lot of chances – and the same could be said in the second half about [Manchester] City.

" We're in a much better place now than we were months ago and there are two very simple reasons for that.

"[There are more reasons] but the most simple two are how fit we are now compared with three or four months ago, and the second one is that we are much better in set-pieces at the moment."

Slot also offered an update on the fitness of striker Alexander Isak.

Isak has not featured since December when he suffered a fibula fracture during their 2-1 win over Tottenham.

Slot revealed that the Swedish striker could return before the March international break.

"It will be somewhere around there and then [March] it’s always the question if things go really well or if he gets a little bit of a setback," added Slot.

"So, it will be around that period of time – end of March, start of April when he’s hopefully back with the group.

"When you’re back with the group it’s not to say that you are ready to play, let alone start, a game of football because, again, he’s been out for months and the last time he’s been out for months I think we could all see that it took him a while before he was the player we have signed from Newcastle."