Post by : Badri Ariffin

Liverpool Football Club has confirmed the immediate exit of Aaron Briggs, the team's set-piece coach, due to persistent challenges in both defending and capitalizing on set-pieces this season.

Briggs, who joined Liverpool in July 2024 as a development coach and later became the set-piece specialist in September, contributed to the previous season's Premier League title achievement under manager Arne Slot. However, the current season has seen significant difficulties arise in this aspect of play.

Over the course of 18 Premier League matches, Liverpool has let in 12 goals from set-pieces, encompassing corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins, marking the highest tally in Europe’s top five leagues. The latest goal conceded was from Wolves’ Santiago Bueno, showcasing this ongoing vulnerability.

Defensively, only West Ham has allowed more goals from corners than Liverpool’s seven. Furthermore, Liverpool has tied with Newcastle for the league's joint-most goals conceded from throw-ins, totaling three.

On the offensive front, Liverpool has only netted three goals from set-pieces this season. According to Opta stats, the team has an average of just 2.4 goals scored per 100 set-piece attempts, ranking second lowest in the Premier League, ahead of Brentford.

In contrast, Liverpool concedes an average of 8.2 goals per 100 set-pieces, holding one of the league's poorest defensive records, surpassed only by Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool’s set-piece goal difference of minus nine marks the worst in the club’s Premier League history at this juncture. Manager Arne Slot has previously pointed out the gravity of the issue, stating: “It’s impossible to be top-four, top-five with our set-piece balance, let alone winning the league.”

Despite these setbacks, Liverpool is currently holding fourth place in the Premier League standings, trailing leaders Arsenal by 10 points ahead of their New Year’s Day match against Leeds United.

Liverpool expressed gratitude towards Briggs for his services and wishes him success in his future endeavors.

#Global News #Sports News