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Liverpool have acted decisively within Arne Slot’s coaching group, parting ways with first-team set-piece coach Aaron Briggs. The move comes amid growing unease over the team’s recurring defensive lapses during dead-ball situations.

Uncomfortable statistics highlight the problem

Set pieces have emerged as a major concern for Liverpool throughout this season, consistently undermining their performances and giving opponents opportunities to claw back into games. With the issue showing no signs of improvement, the club concluded that change was necessary. Excluding penalties, Liverpool have conceded 12 goals from set pieces — the highest number in the Premier League. Corners have been a particular weakness, with only West Ham United allowing more goals from that source. Offensively, Liverpool have also struggled to pose a serious threat, averaging just 2.4 goals per 100 set pieces — a figure bettered by every other top-flight team except Brentford. Defensively, their record is equally worrying, conceding 8.2 goals per 100 set pieces, a ratio surpassed only by Nottingham Forest.

Momentum lost at crucial moments

The consequences of these shortcomings have been evident in recent matches. In consecutive Premier League fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool seemed firmly in control with 2-0 leads. However, on both occasions, conceding from set pieces shifted the momentum, leaving Slot’s men battling through tense finishes rather than cruising to victory.

Van Dijk expresses the team’s frustration

Briggs joined Liverpool in July 2024, initially arriving as the first-team individual development coach following the departure of Vítor Matos. Liverpool had intended to recruit a dedicated set-piece specialist but, unable to find a suitable candidate, entrusted Briggs with that responsibility. The club later restructured the setup by bringing in Brazilian coach Luiz Fernando Iubel as individual lead coach, allowing Briggs to focus solely on set-piece strategy. Despite these adjustments, the improvement never materialised to the expected level.

Captain Virgil van Dijk openly discussed the issue, stating: "We’ve defended plenty of set pieces very well, but the truth is we’ve conceded far too many in this way, and it hurts. We have to get better at it. It’s about repetition, training, analysis — this is something we must improve. I’d say at least 75 per cent of the time, or even more, it’s not the first contact that costs us; it’s the second phase that kills us."

Focus shifts towards 2026

At present, Liverpool have not appointed a direct successor to Briggs, with set-piece responsibilities temporarily handled by other members of Slot’s coaching staff. On the field, the focus turns to maintaining momentum. Liverpool are set to host Leeds United at Anfield on New Year’s Day, as they look to stretch their unbeaten streak to eight matches across all competitions.