Liverpool Part Ways with First-Team Coach Following Candid Remarks from Van Dijk and Slot
Liverpool have parted ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs as the club continues to struggle with dead-ball situations this season. Excluding penalties, the Reds have managed only three Premier League goals from set-pieces, with only Wolves (two) faring worse. Defensively, Arne Slot’s side has conceded 12 goals from set-pieces, the joint-highest in the league alongside Bournemouth. In contrast, league leaders Arsenal have allowed just four, while Brentford boast the best record, conceding only two.
In response to this glaring problem, Liverpool decided to release senior first-team coach Briggs. Journalist Paul Joyce reports there are currently no plans to hire a replacement, with the responsibility for set-pieces now distributed among the remaining coaching staff. The club confirmed the departure with a formal statement, expressing gratitude for Briggs’ contributions, including helping the team win the Premier League. The statement read:
“Liverpool FC can confirm Aaron Briggs has departed his role as set-piece coach of the men’s first team. 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. He leaves with the appreciation and best wishes of everyone at the club.”
Although formal, recent comments from manager Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk provide more context behind the decision. Liverpool’s set-piece record has been particularly poor this season, with a -9 goal differential. Van Dijk voiced frustration following a 2-1 win over Wolves, in which a goal was conceded from a corner:
“We’ve had games where we defended well, but overall we’ve conceded too many and don’t score enough from set-pieces. It’s often not the first contact but the second phase that hurts us. Hopefully, it’s not a mental issue, but if it is, it needs addressing. Personally, it’s not in my head.”
He added: “It hasn’t been good enough. We’ve discussed it, and we need to improve, which is why we work on it in nearly every training session.”
Slot also expressed his dissatisfaction, highlighting the importance of set-pieces:
“We’re frustrated with our current record. Last season, halfway through, we hadn’t conceded a single set-piece goal. It’s impossible to aim for a top-four finish with such a poor set-piece balance. We’re the only team in the top part of the table with a negative set-piece record.”
After the Wolves match, he further remarked: “We hardly ever score from set-pieces, and worse, we frequently concede from them.”