All eyes were on how Liverpool fared from set-pieces against Leeds on New Year’s Day after parting company with Aaron Briggs during the week.
Briggs was the man in charge of setting the Reds up from corners, free-kicks and throw-ins, but after leading them to a dismal record this season he was sacked on Tuesday.
Liverpool have one of the worst set-piece records in Europe’s top five leagues in 2025/26, with fans desperate to see a change made.
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Tell us how you REALLY feel about Arne Slot after Liverpool’s performance against Leeds United 😵💫
Arne Slot watches on during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Anfield.
Credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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Briggs was an unfortunate fall guy, having initially been brought to Anfield in a completely different capacity.
With no time to appoint a successor before the game against Leeds – one of the best set-piece teams in the Premier League – it was fascinating to see who Arne Slot turned to for help during Thursday’s game.
Lewis Mahoney steps in to take set-piece duties
Although he was the man to take the bullet, Briggs was clearly not solely to blame for Liverpool’s dismal record from set-pieces this season.
Slot must also take much of the blame, while some supporters have also pointed to the appointment of Lewis Mahoney as first-team set-piece analyst over the summer.
Aaron Briggs pictured ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Interestingly, The Times report that it was Mahoney who Slot was seen conferring with during the bore draw with Leeds.
The former Southampton analyst was claimed to have been ‘helping out’, with Slot reportedly ‘more animated than ever’ when Liverpool faced a ball into the box.
As the Reds were initially said to be spreading Briggs’ duties out through the coaching staff, it seems they may have already filled the void left by his departure.
Who was the most disappointing performer against Leeds?
Shocking display all round
Florian Wirtz during Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Were Liverpool better on set-pieces against Leeds?
It is hard to say whether Liverpool have improved anything by getting rid of Briggs this week. The sample size is too small.
Nevertheless, it was at least notable that the Reds did not concede a set play against Leeds, something they did not manage when playing the Whites in December.
Ibrahima Konate won most of his aerial duels, and Liverpool generally dealt with Leeds’ threat quite well. However, things were not perfect.
The Reds still looked vulnerable from Ethan Ampadu’s long throws, with their inability to properly deal with second balls their biggest Achilles heel.
There appears to be no current plan to replace Briggs with an outside hire, meaning Mahoney is nominally the go-to man for praise or criticism, depending on how the coming weeks transpire.
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