Liverpool's set-piece coach Aaron Briggs has left the club amid ongoing scrutiny of the club's record from set-plays this season.
The Reds hold the worst record in Europe's top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1) when it comes to conceding from set-pieces so far in the current campaign, having let in 12 goals. The problem has seen complaints from both Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk recently.
Briggs, who was handed the role during the summer after joining the club in 2024 as first-team individual development coach, has now departed the club. No replacement has been lined up, with his responsibilities set to be taken on by the remaining members of Slot's coaching staff.
The decision to part company with Briggs comes after Liverpool conceded yet another goal from a set-piece during Saturday's 2-1 win over Wolves. Despite having held a 2-0 lead at half-time, the goal changed the complexion of the game, with the Reds just about hanging on for their victory.
"Unfortunately, we're maybe the only team that hardly ever scores from a set-piece and, even worse, we constantly concede," Slot said after the game.
"But then, I think I said two, three or four weeks ago, we have to make sure that when things go against us — [it] could be a set-piece, could be other things — we still need to find a way to win the game.
Aaron Briggs was appointed to Arne Slot's backroom staff in 2024
Aaron Briggs was appointed to Arne Slot's backroom staff in 2024
"In the last two games, we conceded a set-piece but we were able to win and that hasn't happened that many times this season. That's, again, progress for me, but it's obvious there are more things for us to improve and this is definitely one of them.
Briggs was hired by Liverpool last year to join Slot's backroom staff, with the former Manchester City analyst taking on the role of first-team individual development coach after Vitor Matos followed Jurgen Klopp in leaving.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Liverpool FC 2025/26 kits
Liverpool had advertized for a new set-piece coach earlier this year, with the job listing having been spotted on LinkedIn, but eventually gave the job to Briggs after being unable to find the right candidate.
Brazilian coach Luiz Fernando Iubel was subsequently hired as individual lead coach in order to allow Briggs to focus solely on his new role, although the appointment has not worked out.
With Briggs having now left the club, even more scrutiny will be placed on Liverpool's set-pieces, with the Reds' first examination coming against Leeds on New Year's Day.