Liverpool fans, it’s time to pay attention to one of the less glamorous but increasingly vital parts of the modern game: set-piece.
While we’re all used to seeing dazzling dribbles from Salah or pinpoint passes from Trent Alexander-Arnold, something is brewing behind the scenes at Anfield that might just be the secret weapon in our pursuit of silverware.
Set pieces have been one of football’s most underappreciated tools, but teams like Arsenal have shown their value in title races. Now, Liverpool are looking to maximize that edge, and it seems like the search for a set-piece coach has taken an unexpected twist.
The secret weapon behind Liverpool set-piece approach
Earlier this summer, Liverpool posted a job ad for a first-team set-piece coach—a position that would focus on both offensive and defensive strategies. Four months later, that role still hasn’t been officially filled. But here’s the plot twist: it looks like Aaron Briggs, originally brought in as the first-team development coach, has stepped up to handle this crucial responsibility. (Info by David Lynch)
Tuesday’s 3-1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League was a masterclass in set-piece planning. Both Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk found the net from set pieces, and it wasn’t by chance.
Liverpool’s analysts had noticed Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s hesitancy in coming off his line, a weakness that was expertly exploited by Slot’s towering defenders.
Trent Alexander-Arnold floated a free kick into the perfect area for Konate, while Kostas Tsimikas delivered a deadly corner for Van Dijk to head home. These goals were no accident but the result of meticulous analysis and preparation.
A new era of set-piece dominance?
The future looks promising. Both Konate and Van Dijk had been less productive in front of goal recently, but that might be about to change. The players are hungry, the planning is sharp, and Liverpool’s backroom team is proving they can outthink the competition.
Jurgen Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot, even acknowledged the importance of set pieces, saying, “We work on set pieces before every game and we’re very happy it worked out.”
Liverpool’s pursuit of a new set-piece coach may be on hold, but with Aaron Briggs and the club’s tactical masterminds stepping up, the Reds are in good hands.
As Slot’s men push for more silverware, don’t be surprised if a few more headed goals from corners or free kicks make the difference.
Now that’s what we call setting the piece for success!
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