Liverpool have announced that set-piece coach Aaron Briggs has resigned by mutual consent. Briggs left Anfield amid increased attention to the Reds’ struggles with dead balls this season, which contributed to their failure to defend their Premier League title. Arne Slott’s side have conceded 12 goals from set-pieces in 18 league games this season, but have only scored three, leaving them with a disastrous minus-9 point difference. This is the worst result at this stage of the league season.
Liverpool decided they needed to intervene in this department and the two sides reached an agreement for Briggs to leave. The Liverpool Echo understands that the club and Slott want to stress that this managerial change should not be seen as a ‘silver bullet’ to solve the problem, but that efforts must continue to be made to find a holistic solution.
Briggs, who became part of Slott’s backroom team in the summer of 2024, played a key role behind the scenes in helping the Reds win a record-equalling 20th championship during the Dutchman’s first season last season.
“Liverpool FC can confirm that Aaron Briggs has resigned from his role as set piece coach for the men’s first team,” the Reds said in an official statement.
“Briggs joined the club in July 2024, initially in the role of individual development coach, but last season he was part of Arne Slott’s backroom staff, helping us win the Premier League title.
“He leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the club.”
Club captain Virgil van Dijk had already made his displeasure known in the area.
“We have defended so many set-pieces very well, but the fact is that we conceded too many goals like that, which hurts,” he said three days ago. “We have to improve that.
“It’s about repetition, training, analysis… that’s what we have to get better at. At least 75 percent of the time, maybe even more, it doesn’t even matter first contact, it’s the second stage that is decisive.”
Slott added: “We know how important it is, and it’s becoming more and more important. That’s why we’re so frustrated with our current performance. We didn’t concede a single set-piece (goal) halfway through last season (when we won the league), so it’s a big frustration where we are this season.”
“It’s impossible to be in the top four or top five on set-piece balance, let alone win the league. Not only are we negative on set-piece balance, we have a -8 record, but we’re still the only team among the top teams with the same number of points as fourth place.”
“But if we are -8, I think Chelsea are +8 and Arsenal and United are very high (10 points each). If you look at that, you can see how special it is to be able to get as many points as we can get if we have a good balance of set-pieces. We all know why, because we are number one in the league in terms of open chances created.”
