Liverpool’s post-December record shows a clear shift

Liverpool’s defensive document since late December has taken a noticeable flip, with Marseille offering the clearest latest instance of a pattern that has quietly developed behind the scenes.

The three–0 Champions League win away in France underlined how managed we appeared with out the acquainted nervousness at dead-ball moments, a theme that has repeated itself because the membership parted firm with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs on 30 December.

We have now now gone six matches with out conceding a single purpose from a set piece, regardless of persevering with to face stress in a number of of these video games.

That element issues given how typically set-piece defending had been cited as a recurring weak point earlier within the marketing campaign.

Liverpool’s set-piece document since Briggs’ departure

A lot of the criticism geared toward Liverpool earlier this season targeted on how susceptible we appeared defending corners and broad free-kicks.

The membership responded with a staffing change simply earlier than the brand new 12 months, with present coaches absorbing duty moderately than appointing an instantaneous substitute.

Since then, the numbers present a transparent shift.

Date
Fixture
End result
Competitors
Set-piece targets conceded

01/01/2026
Leeds (H)
0–0
Premier League
0

04/01/2026
Fulham (A)
2–2
Premier League
0

08/01/2026
Arsenal (A)
0–0
Premier League
0

12/01/2026
Barnsley (H)
4–1
FA Cup
0

17/01/2026
Burnley (H)
1–1
Premier League
0

21/01/2026
Marseille (A)
3–0
Champions League
0

All targets conceded in that run have come from open play, with none from corners, oblique free-kicks or second phases.

That represents a pointy distinction to the sooner a part of the season, after we had already conceded extra non-penalty set-piece targets than another Premier League aspect.

Marseille efficiency reinforces Liverpool defensive pattern

The win over Olympique de Marseille provided a helpful stress check.

The hosts delivered a number of harmful dead-ball conditions, together with a first-half free-kick that required Alisson to react sharply, but our organisation remained compact and disciplined.

That management fed right into a broader efficiency that noticed us transfer into fourth place within the Champions League desk, with one recreation left, and lengthen our unbeaten run in all competitions to 13 matches.

It additionally added context to dialogue round Briggs’ departure, when it was burdened that the change was not about blame however about discovering an answer.

As was outlined when Arne Slot addressed the exit, Briggs had performed “a giant half” in final season’s title win, however timing and course can nonetheless demand adjustment.

What this latest sequence suggests is that the adjustment has had an impact.

The caveat is that whereas defensive set-piece stability has improved, attacking output from dead-ball conditions stays modest, and that also appears like an space for progress.

For now, although, the proof is obvious.

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