UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Liverpool FC part ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs after 12 goals conceded, with the coaching staff taking over improvements.
As reported by Andy Hunter of The Guardian, Liverpool FC has ended its association with first-team set-piece coach Aaron Briggs following ongoing defensive challenges under Arne Slot this season.
Why did Liverpool part ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs?
A Liverpool Football Club statement read,
“Liverpool FC can confirm Aaron Briggs has departed his role as set-piece coach of the men’s first team.”
It adds,
“Having joined the club in July 2024 – initially in the role of individual development coach – Briggs contributed to our Premier League title success last season as a member of Arne Slot’s backroom staff.”
Liverpool FC manager Arne Slot expressed disappointment with his team’s set-piece performance, saying it had been limiting the champions before Saturday’s 2-1 win against Wolves.
Liverpool has now conceded 12 set-piece targets this Premier League season, 46% of their total, while the champions have scored just three.
Aaron Briggs, praised for his hard work and dedication, was essential to Liverpool’s title win last season and assisted Slot in adapting to English football.
Due to ongoing set-piece struggles and with over half the season remaining, Liverpool acted, reaching a mutual deal with coach Briggs.
In July 2024, ex-Manchester City analyst Briggs joined Slot’s backroom team as Liverpool FC’s first-team individual development coach. After a two-month search with no suitable applicants, Briggs stepped into the position of Liverpool’s set-piece coach.
The club will eventually appoint a replacement for Briggs, but his exit is not expected to resolve Liverpool’s set-piece challenges.
His responsibilities will temporarily be managed by the existing coaching staff, including Arne Slot, Sipke Hulshoff, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with the club noting that fixing set-piece issues will require a collective effort.
Before the Wolves game, Slot said,
“If you look at what has happened in the first half-year then I am not so surprised where we are. If you look at our set-piece balance, there is not one team in the world that is minus eight in set pieces [now minus nine] and is still joint-fourth in the league [now fourth outright].”
He added,
“If you were to exclude the set-pieces then the world would look completely different and we would probably be five or six points higher.”
When is Liverpool FC’s next match after Aaron Briggs’ departure?
Liverpool FC will face Leeds United at Anfield on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in a Premier League clash kicking off at 5:30 PM GMT.
Liverpool is set to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Alisson in goal; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, and Kerkez in defence; Gravenberch and Jones in midfield; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Wirtz behind lone striker Ekitike.
Leeds United are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation: Perri in goal; Bogle, Bijol, and Struijk in defence; Stach, Ampadu, and Tanaka in central midfield with Gudmundsson and Aaronson on the flanks; Calvert-Lewin and Okafor leading the attack.
Arne Slot’s team will be without Mohamed Salah (international duty for AFCON) and injured players Alexander Isak, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, and Giovanni Leoni. Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to return to the squad after serving a suspension.
Leeds United will probably be without Joe Rodon because of an ankle injury, and Ao Tanaka could take his place. Sean Longstaff and Daniel James are also likely to miss the game.
