Liverpool sacked manager Aaron Briggs over set-piece issues.
Liverpool's management has decided to part ways with specialist Aaron Briggs in an effort to plug the gaps in their set-piece defense, where the team has conceded 12 goals since the start of the season.
Liverpool have just made a significant personnel change in manager Arne Slot's coaching staff, officially confirming the departure of Aaron Briggs, the set-piece specialist. This decision comes after a series of alarming set-piece defensive results for the Merseyside team, which has become their biggest weakness threatening their title defense ambitions.
Alarming statistics
In-depth data shows that, excluding penalties, no team in the Premier League has conceded more goals from set pieces than Liverpool, totaling 12. Corner kicks are a clear Achilles' heel for The Reds, with only West Ham conceding more goals from this source this season.
Not only is their defense weak, but Liverpool's attacking efficiency from set pieces is also very low. On average, they only score 2.4 goals from 100 set pieces, ranking near the bottom of the league's efficiency rankings (only higher than Brentford). In terms of defense, their 8.2 goals conceded per 100 set pieces is also the second worst rate in the league, only better than Nottingham Forest.
The consequences on the pitch and Virgil van Dijk's reaction.
The impact of these errors has become evident in recent rounds. In the two matches against Tottenham and Wolves, despite controlling the game and leading 2-0, Liverpool still allowed their opponents to narrow the score from set pieces, creating tense final minutes instead of an easy victory for Arne Slot's team.
Captain Virgil van Dijk admitted his disappointment:"The reality is we concede too many goals that way, and it's painful. Everything related to repetition, training, and analysis needs to be upgraded. I think the majority of the problem isn't the first touch, but the second phase is what's decisive.".
Aaron Briggs joined Anfield in July 2024, initially as a player development coach before being given the responsibility of specializing in set pieces after the club failed to find a suitable candidate last summer. Although the club later appointed coach Luiz Fernando Iubel to ease Briggs' workload, the tactical improvements have not met expectations.
Currently, Liverpool have not appointed a direct replacement for Briggs. The responsibilities will be shared among the remaining members of Arne Slot's coaching staff. The Reds' next challenge will be their match against Leeds United at Anfield on New Year's Day, where their set-piece defense will continue to be under scrutiny.
