Liverpool Set-Piece Coach Exits as Costly Defensive Struggles Continue to Plague Anfield This Season

Liverpool have acted after a long-running weakness refused to improve. The club confirmed the exit of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs. The decision followed another damaging lapse at the weekend. Wolves scored from a dead-ball situation. Once again, the problem resurfaced.

Set-pieces have hurt Liverpool all season. Santiago Bueno’s goal was the 12th they have conceded from a corner, free-kick or throw-in in just 18 league games. No team in Europe’s top five leagues has conceded more from such situations. At the other end, the Reds have struggled badly. They have scored only three goals from set-plays this campaign.

Pressure behind the scenes continued to grow. Briggs joined Liverpool in July 2024 as an individual development coach. He later became a specialist set-piece coach in September. Despite being part of Arne Slot’s title-winning staff last season, both sides agreed to part ways with immediate effect. The club thanked Briggs for his work and wished him well.

The numbers remain worrying. Liverpool have conceded seven goals from corners alone. Only West Ham have allowed more in the Premier League. They have also shipped three goals from throw-ins. That is the joint-highest total in the league alongside Newcastle. According to Opta, Liverpool score just 2.4 goals per 100 set-pieces. Only Brentford record a lower figure. In contrast, they concede 8.2 goals per 100. Only Nottingham Forest average more.

These figures leave a damaging mark. Liverpool’s set-piece difference stands at minus nine. It is their worst at this stage of any Premier League season. Slot admitted recently that such numbers usually rule out a title challenge. His comments highlighted how costly the issue has become.

Even so, Liverpool remain in the top four. They currently sit fourth in the table. However, they trail leaders Arsenal by 10 points. With Leeds visiting Anfield on New Year’s Day, attention now turns to change. The club will hope swift action can finally stop set-pieces from continuing to punish their season.