It had looked like a difficult test for Arne Slot and his new-look side so early on into their time together.
But Liverpool rose to the challenge. After an initial slow start, the Reds took control, sticking two past the Gunners within 34 minutes.
A number of players were impressive for the Reds, with Jarell Quansah standing out. There was also praise for Diogo Jota from Slot while Harvey Elliott picked up a pair of beautiful assists.
It was not just individuals on the playing staff who were catching the eye in Philadelphia, though, one member of Slot’s backroom team did something of interest as well.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot Head Coach of Liverpool during the pre season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at...
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Aaron Briggs directs Liverpool set-pieces
It is always fascinating to see the on-pitch opening salvo from a new manager in pre-season.
Liverpool don’t look massively different under Slot than they did with Jurgen Klopp at the helm, but there are some clear changes.
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One of them has been how the Reds approach set-pieces. Liverpool practiced an interesting corner routine against Arsenal and it’s obvious that this is an area Slot wants to work on.
Liverpool are set to hire a set-piece specialist coach and although that is yet to become official, it looks like preparation work is already being done on the training pitch.
While the Reds look for the right candidate to supplement Slot’s staff, first-team individual development coach Aaron Briggs appears to have taken over the role of set-play head honcho.
At least that’s the presumption of journalist Lewis Steele, who was keeping an eye on Briggs during Thursday’s game.
“Aaron Briggs the one stood up when Liverpool attacking or defending corners,” Steele reported on X while the game was ongoing.
“Presume that means he’s been doing the set-piece work in lieu of an actual dead-ball coach at the club yet.”
Why do Liverpool need a set-piece coach?
Liverpool were not bad at all where set-pieces are concerned throughout Klopp’s tenure at Anfield.
But over the last season, it was clear that there can certainly be an improvement. Where teams like Arsenal really pushed on, Liverpool fell behind.
The Gunners were incredibly effective from free-kicks, corners and throw-ins in the Premier League in 2023/24.
Mikel Arteta’s side topped the division, with a combined 20 goals. Champions Man City were four behind in third place, with Liverpool’s 14 tied with four other clubs in fourth place.
While obviously not too far behind, if the Reds can make some marginal gains here, they can claw back a few all-important goals on City and Arsenal. Briggs has other areas of expertise for sure, but with a proper specialist yet to be hired, he’ll do for now.
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