Liverpool’s Set-Piece Coaching Search on Hold: What It Really Means

Liverpool’s recent decision to delay the search for a dedicated set-piece coach has raised a few eyebrows. After all, their recruitment drive earlier this summer, advertised far and wide, seemed to align perfectly with the club’s ongoing commitment to innovation and tactical advancement. As David Lynch detailed in his recent Substack article, the search for such a coach has now been postponed, and the reasoning behind this deserves some deeper thought.

This pause in recruitment doesn’t suggest a lack of ambition. In fact, it reflects the club’s meticulous, data-driven approach to appointments. With former sporting director Michael Edwards back in a senior role at Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool continues to ensure that any addition to the coaching staff represents guaranteed improvement. This exacting standard has extended to the search for a set-piece coach.

Set-Pieces: An Overlooked Weapon in Title Challenges

Arsenal’s recent title challenges demonstrated how valuable set-pieces can be for top teams, and it’s no surprise that Liverpool had considered bolstering this area of their game. As Lynch highlights, “set-pieces were still perhaps being undervalued by sides at the top end of the Premier League,” suggesting that even elite clubs can benefit from added expertise in this area.

Liverpool, who had once prided themselves on marginal gains under Jurgen Klopp’s reign, were understandably keen to explore all avenues of improvement. The club’s strong performance in previous seasons proved that minor tweaks, such as better set-piece coaching, could be the difference between second place and lifting the Premier League trophy.

Aaron Briggs: Rising Star in Liverpool’s Coaching Team

However, the emergence of Aaron Briggs, appointed as the first-team individual development coach, has given the Reds cause to rethink their next move. According to Lynch’s report, Briggs’ work in set-piece situations has already made a tangible difference. His role in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Milan, where both of their goals came from set-pieces, perfectly underlined his growing influence.

Lynch writes, “Briggs’ influence on that front was neatly underlined by his fellow coaches mobbing him in celebration of Ibrahima Konaté’s equaliser.” This moment of celebration emphasised how the new coaching set-up is already bearing fruit, leading the club to question the necessity of appointing a specialist set-piece coach—at least for now.

Briggs’ ability to identify and develop underutilised talents like Konaté is another testament to his growing importance. Konaté, a powerful and imposing figure in the box, hadn’t scored for Liverpool since April 2022. His goal against Milan, orchestrated from a well-rehearsed set-piece, signalled a resurgence not only for him but also for Liverpool’s potential in these dead-ball situations under Briggs’ guidance.

What Lies Ahead for Liverpool’s Coaching Structure?

Despite Briggs’ early success, Lynch notes that Liverpool have not entirely ruled out the possibility of appointing a specialist set-piece coach. The club’s leadership is simply waiting for the right candidate to emerge. As Lynch mentions, “Anfield sources now insist that only the emergence of an ‘outstanding candidate’ would prompt Liverpool to consider pushing forward in appointing a specialist coach.”

For now, the combination of Briggs’ enthusiasm and the diligent work of Liverpool’s analytical team has bought the club some time. This patience mirrors their transfer strategy, where the focus is on quality over quantity. It’s also reflective of Slot’s management philosophy: don’t change something unless you’re sure the replacement will bring genuine improvement.

As Liverpool moves deeper into the season, all eyes will be on how well they handle set-pieces. The team’s defensive solidity and attacking potency from these situations will be scrutinised. The early signs, particularly after that Champions League victory, suggest that Briggs has already had a noticeable impact. However, maintaining that form across the season will be the real test.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

There’s cautious optimism about the decision to pause the search for a set-piece coach. Liverpool supporters have always been keen on the club’s commitment to excellence, and in recent years, they’ve seen how marginal gains can push the team to new heights. But with no specialist set-piece coach, some may question whether this decision could cost them in key moments later in the season.

Briggs’ early success is promising, especially with Konaté finally delivering in front of goal again. Yet, fans will be wary. Set-pieces have often been Liverpool’s Achilles’ heel in tight games. When it comes to challenging for silverware, no detail can be overlooked. The expectations at Anfield are high, and while the current coaching set-up looks solid, it won’t be long before the fanbase expects to see consistent, tangible results.

If Liverpool fail to capitalise on set-pieces in future games, supporters will undoubtedly wonder whether bringing in a specialist coach might have been the smarter move. For now, though, Briggs has the backing of the coaching staff, and fans should feel encouraged by the work he’s already done. The real measure will come when Liverpool face the Premier League’s top teams, where small margins often determine the outcome.