Liverpool have taken decisive action to address a glaring weakness in their title defence, sacking set-piece specialist Aaron Briggs with immediate effect.
A Damning Defensive Record
The club's decision comes after a dismal run of form from dead-ball situations that has plagued their season. Liverpool have conceded a league-high 12 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, a statistic that has deeply frustrated head coach Arne Slot. The problem has been compounded by a lack of threat at the other end, with the champions scoring only three times from similar situations.
This stark imbalance led Slot to publicly label the team's "negative set-piece balance" as a major concern. The Dutch manager had voiced his frustrations on multiple occasions, highlighting the dual issue of being vulnerable defensively while failing to capitalise offensively from corners and free-kicks.
Coaching Staff Take Direct Control
With Briggs departing, responsibility for rectifying this critical issue now falls directly to Slot and his senior assistants. Head coach Arne Slot, along with assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, will assume control of set-piece management moving forward.
The move signals a hands-on approach from the managerial team as they seek an urgent solution. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday 30 December 2025, as the club looks to turn around their fortunes in this key area during the second half of the campaign.
Pressure Mounts on Champions
For a team with aspirations of retaining the Premier League crown, such a pronounced flaw is unsustainable. Set-pieces often decide tight matches, and Liverpool's record has become a significant liability. The coaching change represents a clear admission that previous methods were not working.
The immediate challenge for Slot and his revamped team is to organise a defence that has looked uncharacteristically shaky and to devise more potent attacking routines. The coming fixtures will quickly reveal if this internal reshuffle can shore up a weakness that opponents have been ruthlessly exploiting.
