National World Top Stories Update Monday 29 December, 2025
Liverpool’s set-piece coach Aaron Briggs has been sacked - just months after taking on the duties full-time.
Santiago Bueno’s goal for Wolves on Saturday was the 12th time in 18 matches Arne Slot’s side had conceded from a corner, free-kick or throw-in, no team in Europe’s top five leagues has conceded more.
Liverpool have not conceded more than 15 in an entire season since the 2015/16 campaign. Conversely, they have scored just three from set-pieces.
Therefore, it is understood an intervention was required with both the club and Briggs, a former Manchester City analyst who took over set-piece duties exclusively in September, reaching an agreement over his exit.
But Slot and his coaching staff, who will now take on the responsibility for set-pieces, accept that the decision to part ways will not be a “silver bullet” which will immediately solve the issues.
“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,” said Liverpool spokesperson.
“He leaves with the appreciation and best wishes of everyone at the club.”
The statistics relating to Liverpool’s set-piece performance are well below what would normally be expected. Only 18th-placed West Ham (10) have conceded more than Liverpool’s seven from corners. Their three goals conceded from throw-ins is the joint-most in the league alongside Newcastle.
According to Opta, Liverpool are averaging 2.4 goals scored per 100 set-pieces. Only Brentford are averaging fewer in the top flight, while Liverpool are averaging 8.2 goals per 100 when it comes to conceding - only Nottingham Forest, in 17th, average more.
It means their set-piece balance of minus nine is Liverpool’s worst at any stage of a season in their Premier League history and in their last two matches against Tottenham and Wolves they were comfortable at 2-0 before conceding set-pieces, which hugely changed the momentum and left Slot’s side hanging on.
A week ago Slot said of that one statistic: “It’s impossible to be top-four, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league; if you look at that you could say how special it is we have as many points as we have.”
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