Liverpool Ends Tenure of Set-Piece Coach Aaron Briggs Amid Defensive Woes

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Liverpool Football Club has confirmed that Aaron Briggs, the set-piece coach, is no longer with the team, following persistent struggles in both defense and offense during set-piece situations this season.

Briggs, who joined the club as an individual development coach in July 2024 before taking on the role of exclusive set-piece coach in September, was instrumental in the team's Premier League title win last season under manager Arne Slot. However, this season has posed significant challenges for Liverpool in this area.

Throughout 18 Premier League matches, Liverpool has let in 12 goals from set-pieces—covering corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins—marking the highest tally across Europe’s elite leagues. Recently, a goal from Wolves’ Santiago Bueno highlighted this ongoing issue.

Defensively, only West Ham has surrendered more goals from corners than Liverpool's seven this season. Additionally, the Reds have conceded three goals from throw-ins, tying them for the highest in the league with Newcastle.

On the offensive front, Liverpool has tallied just three goals from set-pieces this season. According to Opta analytics, the team manages an average of only 2.4 goals per 100 set-piece opportunities, ranking second lowest in the Premier League after Brentford.

In stark contrast, Liverpool’s defensive record indicates an average of 8.2 goals conceded per 100 set-pieces—one of the league's worst, only trailing Nottingham Forest.

The club's set-piece goal difference of minus nine stands as the poorest in its Premier League history at this point in the season. Manager Arne Slot has previously stated the seriousness of these defensive issues, asserting: “It’s impossible to be top-four, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.”

Despite these difficulties, Liverpool is currently positioned fourth in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Arsenal by 10 points, ahead of their New Year’s Day clash against Leeds United.

Liverpool extends its gratitude to Briggs for his efforts and wishes him success in his future pursuits.