Liverpool's Set-Piece Coach Departs Amid Struggles

Liverpool's set-piece coach, Aaron Briggs, has parted ways with the club during a season marked by significant struggles in this area, with the team holding the joint-worst set-play record in Europe's top five leagues. The Reds have conceded 12 goals from set pieces in the Premier League, including a recent concession from a corner in their 2-1 win over Wolves. According to Sky Sports News, Liverpool decided that change was necessary, leading to a mutual agreement for Briggs to leave Anfield. The responsibility for set-piece coaching will now fall to the existing coaching staff. A club statement confirmed Briggs' departure, noting his contributions to the team's Premier League title success last season as part of Arne Slot's staff. Briggs' exit comes just before Liverpool's first game of 2026, as they host Leeds on New Year's Day. No team in Europe's top five leagues has conceded more set-play goals than Liverpool this season, with 12 teams, including Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Manchester United, having exploited this weakness. Slot has described set-pieces as an 'add-on,' a view that is becoming increasingly outdated in the Premier League. Liverpool's set-piece balance is significantly off, and if net goals from set plays were a measure of league position, they would be at the bottom. The team has conceded seven goals from corners, with only West Ham conceding more. Liverpool has faced 85 corners this season, with a goal conceded roughly every 12 corner kicks. However, they are not being beaten by conventional methods, with the problem lying in the second phase. The club will need to address this issue to compete in the top four.