Aaron Briggs has left Liverpool following just four months in his official capacity as set-piece coach, and he only got the job after a move for Etienne Reijnen fell through.
Back in May 2024, it emerged that Liverpool were seeking to follow the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea in appointing their own specialist set-piece coach.
A job advert was posted on the club’s official channels as well as LinkedIn, only for their search to be paused in September, with first-team development coach Aaron Briggs filling the role and eventually taking on the job officially in September 2025.
He has now been dismissed, though, with Liverpool possessing the worst set-piece record in the Premier League.
Etienne Reijnen and Liverpool
• Reijnen wanted: Arne Slot wanted Etienne Reijnen to join him in moving from Feyenoord to Liverpool
• Work permit issues: Problems securing Reijnen a UK work permit caused the appointment to fall through
• Replacement: Aaron Briggs was instead appointed as set-piece coach but has now been sacked
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's first team individual development coach Aaron Briggs during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Briggs’ appointment came after Liverpool failed to land their priority target in Feyenoord’s Reijnen, who was at one point believed to be close to a move to Merseyside.
When Liverpool appeared set to land Reijnen, it was unclear exactly which role he would take up on Arne Slot‘s staff, but it would in fact have involved leading set-pieces.
Reijnen’s proposed switch fell through due to work permit issues, with the 38-year-old instead remaining in his position as analyst and technical advisor for the Dutch club.
The club faced no such issue in acquiring a work permit for Slot and support staff such as Sipke Hulshoff, Ruben Peeters and Roderick van der Ham, who all moved to Anfield from Feyenoord.
Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad at the end of 2024, the Liverpool head coach highlighted the role of his former colleague, Reijnen.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and his staff stand in silence as they pay tribute to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Etienne Reijnen is still at Feyenoord and I recently read that Brian Priske (Slot’s successor) was full of praise for him,” Slot said.
“The set-pieces are a strength at Feyenoord and Reijnen still takes care of them.”
With Reijnen still working at Feyenoord under manager Robin van Persie, the Dutch outfit have scored eight non-penalty set-pieces this season; Liverpool have netted just three in the league.
Meanwhile, they have conceded just once from dead-ball situations compared to Liverpool’s 12.
In the short term, Slot and the rest of his staff are to take over Briggs’ duties, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Liverpool once again attempt to sort a move for Reijnen.