Liverpool Football Club is actively searching for a dedicated set-piece coach to join their coaching staff this summer. In the past, Jurgen Klopp’s assistants, Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, were responsible for set-piece coaching. However, the club is now looking to follow a growing trend in the Premier League by appointing a full-time specialist in this area.
Arsenal has seen great success from set-pieces under the guidance of their set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover. This season, 20 of Arsenal’s goals have come from dead-ball situations, making them the biggest threat in the division in this regard. Aston Villa has also experienced an increase in their set-piece goal numbers since the arrival of Austin MacPhee, who joined from FC Midtjylland.
Chelsea is another Premier League side that recognizes the importance of set-pieces and recently hired Bernardo Cueva from Brentford to work on improving their output in this area.
Liverpool, however, already had a strong foundation in set-pieces last season, scoring 15 goals from dead-ball situations. The club hopes to build on this success and elevate their performance with the addition of a dedicated set-piece coach.
The responsibilities of the new coach will include running team sessions that focus on both defensive and attacking elements of set-pieces. They will also provide individual coaching to improve delivery into the box and finishing from set-piece situations.
Liverpool recently confirmed the appointment of Arne Slot as their new manager on a three-year contract. While it is yet to be officially announced, it is expected that Slot will bring assistant Sipke Hulshoff, head of performance Ruben Peeters, and technical advisor Etienne Reijnen with him to the club.
By hiring a specialist set-piece coach, Liverpool aims to enhance their overall performance in dead-ball situations and maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League. This strategic move demonstrates the club’s commitment to continuous improvement and staying ahead of the curve in modern football coaching techniques.