Liverpool Football Club have taken decisive action by dismissing first-team set-piece coach Aaron Briggs. The move comes after a series of public expressions of frustration from both captain Virgil van Dijk and manager Arne Slot regarding the team's alarming vulnerability from dead-ball situations this season.
Mid-Season Departure Following Dreadful Record
The club confirmed the departure in an official statement on Monday, 30th December 2025. Aaron Briggs, who initially joined the backroom staff in July 2024 as an individual development coach, was a member of the coaching team that contributed to Liverpool's Premier League title success last season. However, the Reds' dramatic decline in defending and attacking set-pieces this campaign has prompted a mid-season change.
Liverpool's statement thanked Briggs for his service, noting he "leaves with the appreciation and best wishes of everyone at the club." The decision underscores the severity with which the club views the issue, having identified it as a major problem undermining their season.
Captain and Manager Voice Shared Frustration
The sacking follows pointed comments from key figures at Anfield. Following a 2-1 win over Wolves, captain Virgil van Dijk did not shy away from the problem. "We have defended so many set-pieces very well," said Van Dijk. "But the fact is we've conceded too many goals like that and it hurts. We have to improve that."
The Dutch defender pinpointed a specific tactical failure, stating that at least 75 per cent of the time, the damaging moment comes in the "second phase" after the initial ball, rather than from the first contact.
Manager Arne Slot had also highlighted the statistics as a critical barrier to success. "It's impossible to be top-four, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league," Slot stated bluntly. He revealed that Liverpool possesses a negative set-piece balance of minus-eight, a stark contrast to their rivals. He noted Chelsea are at plus-four, while Arsenal and Manchester United have each scored ten set-piece goals.
A Statistical Anomaly Threatening Top-Four Hopes
Slot's analysis framed Liverpool's league position as remarkable given their set-piece deficit. "We are the only team in the top end of the table that has a negative set-piece balance," he explained. "How special it is we have as many points as we have if you have that set-piece balance."
The manager attributed their points tally to being the number one team in the league for chances created in open play, but made it clear this single failing could derail their ambitions. The decision to part ways with Briggs is a direct attempt to rectify this glaring weakness before it costs the team further in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The search for a replacement or a restructuring of coaching responsibilities is now likely to be an immediate priority for Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy as they aim to salvage their defensive solidity from corners and free-kicks.
