Liverpool sack set-piece coach over dismal Premier League record
Liverpool’s set-piece coach Aaron Briggs has left the club as he has paid the price for their disastrous record at defending free kicks and corners.
The Premier League champions have conceded the most goals in the division – 12 – from set-pieces, including two in their last two games.
Liverpool have only scored three goals from dead-ball situations, meanwhile, leading head coach Arne Slot to regularly bemoan their “negative set-piece balance”.
Mike Jones1 January 2026 15:06
Liverpool vs Leeds predicted line-ups
Possible Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekiteke
Possible Leeds XI: Sa; Perri; Justin, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Aaronson, Ampadu, Stach, Gudmundsson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
Mike Jones1 January 2026 15:00
Early team news for Leeds United
Leeds will be without defender Joe Rodon, midfielder Sean Longstaff and attacker Daniel James, who all have injuries set to keep them out until mid-January at the earliest.
Daniel Farke otherwise has a full squad to select from.
Mike Jones1 January 2026 14:54
Liverpool’s early team news
Cody Gakpo returned off the bench in the win against Wolves and will be pushing to start, potentially ahead of Federico Chiesa, while Dominik Szoboszlai will be available again, having missed the Wolves clash through suspension.
Mohamed Salah remains away on Afcon duty with Egypt, while this match could come too soon for Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez.
Alexander Isak is a long-term absentee.
Mike Jones1 January 2026 14:48
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK will be able to watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 5pm. It will also be available to stream on Sky Go.
Mike Jones1 January 2026 14:42
When is Liverpool vs Leeds?
The Premier League meeting between Liverpool and Leeds kicks off at 5:30pm on Thursday 1 January at Anfield.
Mike Jones1 January 2026 14:36
Liverpool vs Leeds
Leeds earned a good point away at high-flying Sunderland, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing his impressive scoring streak. The striker has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
Mike Jones1 January 2026 14:30
Good afternoon!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League clash between Liverpool and Leeds at Anfield.
The last time these two sides met in the top flight was at Elland Road in a fantastic 3-3 draw which was the catalyst for Mohamed Salah’s media outburst after the game.
Plenty has happened since then with Salah seemingly reintegrated into the Liverpool team – though he will miss today’s match due to being on Afcon duty – and both teams excelling in recent results.
Arne Slot’s men have won each of their four matches since the clash at Elland Road while Leeds are unbeaten in that time with two draws and a win.
Today’s encounter should be an interesting one so let’s get into the build-up…
Mike Jones1 January 2026 12:37










