This is a different Liverpool side to the one we suffered through watching in 2025, particularly when it comes to set-pieces.
Before Christmas, the Reds were one of the worst teams in the Premier League on set-pieces.
Liverpool parted ways with Aaron Briggs at the turn of the year, deciding to take a more collaborative approach to that aspect of the game.
The change paid off. In 2026, Liverpool are better than Arsenal on set-plays, and defensively as well, would you believe?
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As much as the responsibilities have been split amongst the coaching staff, one new addition to the bench should get the lion’s share of the credit.
Lewis Mahoney, the young analyst behind Liverpool’s set-piece revival
The work done by Arne Slot’s staff has been outstanding, helping him achieve a historic debut season league title.
Maybe it’s lazy, but I’m not someone who pays much mind to the faces past the first two seats on the coaching bench.
For those fans who do, you might have noticed a new addition.
Lewis Steele has. He writes for the Daily Mail: “Eagle-eyed fans will have spotted analyst Lewis Mahoney on the bench now. The young coach is taking on lots of the set-piece work.
“Liverpool do not want to put the spotlight on him but let’s give credit where it is due.
“Mahoney, only 27, has previously been at Southampton, Bristol Rovers and Swansea, having achieved a first-class degree in sports performance analysis at Cardiff University.”
An insane achievement to be contributing on a coaching level to one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and at the same age as Alexis Mac Allister.
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With how the Premier League is trending, maximising set-pieces — on both sides of the ball — has never been more crucial.
Mahoney seems to be up for the challenge, and could even be given the official title next season if Liverpool continue to dominate dead-ball situations.
One thing he won’t have to work on is free-kicks with Dominik Szoboszlai.
- READ MORE: Arne Slot says it’s ‘unfair’ to blame sacked coach Aaron Briggs for Liverpool’s set-piece record
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