Arne Slot breaks silence on Aaron Briggs exit
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Arne Slot Breaks Silence on Aaron Briggs' Liverpool Exit
In a pre-Fulham press conference at Anfield, Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed the recent departure of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs for the first time, expressing gratitude for his contributions despite the team's ongoing struggles with set pieces.
Slot praised Briggs, who joined Liverpool in July 2024 as an individual development coach and was promoted to set-piece coach in September 2025, as "a very good human being" and "a very promising young English coach." He highlighted Briggs' pivotal role in the team's success, stating, "He was a big part of us winning the league last season" and "a big help to me." The Dutchman emphasized appreciation over disruption, noting that timing often influences such decisions.
The exit comes amid Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities from set pieces this season. No Premier League side has conceded more goals from set pieces (12 total, including seven from corners), leaving them with a negative set-piece balance of minus-eight—the worst among top teams. Slot has repeatedly criticized this weakness, fuming, "It’s impossible to be top-four, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league." The club confirmed Briggs' departure as a drastic measure to address these concerns, with the rest of the coaching staff temporarily sharing responsibilities. No immediate replacement is expected.
When pressed on a successor, Slot remained measured and tight-lipped: "I think it would be a surprise to you if I never talk about players we bring in that I would start talking to you about names in terms of coaches we could bring in." He added, "Of course, we are looking at the situation and what is best for us now." With Liverpool fourth in the Premier League, unbeaten in eight games, and focused on stability amid a demanding schedule, Slot's message underscores continuity while acknowledging Briggs' lasting impact on their title-winning campaign.
Club figures like Virgil van Dijk have called for more training and analysis, while legend John Aldridge urged scrutiny on set-piece coaching just before the news broke publicly.