SOCCER: Liverpool set-piece coach Briggs leaves club

Liverpool have parted ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs after a troubling run of defensive lapses from dead-ball situations this season.

The decision comes as Arne Slot’s side has conceded more set-piece goals than any team in Europe’s top five leagues, excluding penalties. Liverpool allowed their 12th set-piece goal during Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, tying them with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest for the most conceded in the Premier League.

The reigning champions have also struggled to capitalize on set-pieces offensively. Liverpool have scored just three goals from non-penalty dead-ball situations this season, nine fewer than league leaders Arsenal. Their non-penalty set-piece goal difference of minus nine is the worst in the Premier League.

Team captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the issue following the weekend win, stressing that improvements are urgently needed.

“We’ve conceded too many set-piece goals and we don’t score enough,” Van Dijk said. “It’s something we have to improve. Most of the time, it’s not even about the first contact. It’s the second phase that really hurts us. If it’s a mental issue, then that’s a serious problem.”

Briggs joined Liverpool in September, but the club has now opted to redistribute set-piece responsibilities among the remaining members of the coaching staff as they look to address one of their most pressing weaknesses.

-Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters