Liverpool Set-Piece Coach Aaron Briggs Leaves Club After Defensive Struggles

By Guardian Sport, 30 December 2025

Liverpool FC has parted ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs, amid growing concerns over the team's defensive vulnerabilities from dead-ball situations. Briggs, who joined Arne Slot's staff in the summer of 2024 from RB Leipzig, departs after just 18 months at Anfield, where set-piece concessions have plagued the Reds' title defence.

The 32-year-old specialist was hailed as a coup for Liverpool upon his arrival, bringing expertise from his time with Julian Nagelsmann's Germany setup and Leipzig, where he helped refine their attacking corners. However, this season, Liverpool have shipped 14 goals from set pieces in the Premier League alone—more than any other top-six side—exposing frailties despite their attacking prowess.

Sources close to the club indicate that Briggs' exit was mutual, triggered by a poor run of form including back-to-back league defeats where set-piece errors proved costly. In a 2-1 loss to Manchester City last week, two goals came from corners, prompting fan frustration and internal reviews. Slot praised Briggs' contributions to Liverpool's own set-piece scoring, which remains league-leading at 22 goals, but admitted defensive marking needed "urgent recalibration."

Briggs' departure adds to Liverpool's turbulent backroom reshuffle. The club now seeks a replacement with a focus on zonal marking innovations, potentially targeting experts from Brighton or international setups. Briggs is expected to attract interest from Premier League rivals, with West Ham and Newcastle monitoring his availability.

Fans reacted mixedly on social media, with some lamenting the loss of a young talent and others demanding accountability. Liverpool sit third in the table, six points off leaders Arsenal, with Slot insisting the squad's core remains intact for a January push.

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