Liverpool Dead Ball Coach Leaves Club After Club After Bad Record

Liverpool have officially announced the departure of Aaron Briggs from his position as first-team set-piece coach following a poor set-piece record this season, in which Arne Slot’s men have conceded 12 goals from set-piece situations and only scored three.

The decision was taken by mutual agreement between the club and Briggs, following increasing criticism of Liverpool’s weak defensive organization in set-pieces throughout the season.

In 18 Premier League games this season, Liverpool have recorded a minus-nine margin from set-pieces, the worst figure they have experienced at any stage in Premier League history.

In comparison, Arsenal, who currently lead the standings, actually recorded a positive difference of eight goals from a similar situation, showing a quite sharp contrast in the effectiveness of set pieces.

Poor Dead Ball Record in the Premier League

This condition made the club’s internal parties assess the need for immediate intervention, although changing the set-piece coach was not seen as an instant solution to all existing problems.

Internal club sources said that Arne Slot and the coaching staff agreed that this change should not be considered a shortcut to improving defensive performance from set pieces.

With no immediate replacement appointed, the responsibility for improving set-piece organization now falls to Slot and his coaching staff collectively.

This problem was seen again when Liverpool conceded their seventh goal from a corner kick in the Premier League this season, despite winning 2-1 over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

Briggs is actually no stranger to Liverpool’s previous success, as he joined in the summer of 2024 as an individual development coach before being entrusted with set-pieces.

Last season, Briggs’ contribution was considered significant behind the scenes when Liverpool won a club record-equalling 20th Premier League title.

However, this season has shown a drastic decline, with no team in Europe’s top five leagues conceding more goals from set-piece situations than Liverpool.

Ironically, Liverpool’s performance from set-pieces in European competition is actually much better, as they have scored five goals from set-pieces in the Champions League and are one of seven clubs who have not conceded from such situations.

This striking difference between domestic and European performance adds complexity to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-piece training approach applied so far.

Briggs’ departure is also part of ongoing changes to Liverpool’s coaching staff since last season, including the addition of Giovanni van Bronckhorst as assistant coach to replace John Heitinga.

Additionally, Xavi Valero returns to the club as first-team head goalkeeping coach, while Colin Stewart joins as goalkeeping development and pathways coach.

In their official statement, Liverpool said that Briggs had left his position as set-piece coach for the men’s first team and appreciated his contribution during his time at the club.

Liverpool also emphasized that Briggs took part in the success of winning the Premier League title last season and left the club with prayers and best wishes from all elements of the club.