Arne Slot breaks silence on Aaron Briggs exit and new Liverpool set-piece coach search

Arne Slot Breaks Silence on Aaron Briggs' Exit and Liverpool's Set-Piece Coach Search

Liverpool FC has officially confirmed the departure of first-team set-piece coach Aaron Briggs, just 18 months after he joined the club in July 2024. The announcement comes amid mounting criticism over the team's defensive vulnerabilities from set pieces, with Liverpool conceding the most goals from such situations (excluding penalties) in Europe's top five leagues this season[1].

Head coach Arne Slot addressed the exit directly but stayed tight-lipped on any replacement, offering no details on a successor during his comments[2]. The club's official statement was brief—only three sentences long—providing no reasons for Briggs' departure or hints of a new destination. This move aims to address glaring weaknesses exposed in recent matches, such as Wolverhampton Wanderers' corner-kick goal against Liverpool[1].

Despite the setback, Liverpool enters 2026 on a high note, unbeaten in December and preparing for a New Year's Day clash with Leeds United at Anfield. Recent results have eased pressure on Slot, the manager of the reigning Premier League champions, though their title challenge has drawn scrutiny. The Reds remain in contention for all four competitions, but set-piece frailties persist as a key issue[1].

Fans are watching closely for updates on who will take over set-piece duties, hoping for improvements to bolster the team's second-half surge. Slot's measured response underscores a focus on stability amid ongoing squad assessments[2]. No timeline for a new appointment has been given, leaving speculation rife about potential candidates to shore up this critical area.

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