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How Liverpool are using artificial intelligence to become better at corners

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2024

How Liverpool are using artificial intelligence to become better at corners

As Arne Slot settles into his role as Liverpool’s head coach, there is an exciting array of fresh ideas from his new backroom staff.

The novel training methods of assistant coaches, Sipke Hulshoff and John Heitinga. The vibrant voice of lead physical performance coach, Ruben Peeters. The creative coaching drills of head of goalkeeper coaching, Fabian Otte.

Off the pitch, Liverpool have been developing a coaching assistant who could help their set-piece approach for the coming season… and it’s not even human.

Liverpool’s analytics department is renowned for its pioneering work, led by director of research William Spearman who took over from Ian Graham in 2023. In their most recent venture, they have teamed up with Google DeepMind, using artificial intelligence (AI) to determine strategies for corner kicks.

The collaboration has culminated in a paper published in Nature Communications — TacticAI: an AI assistant for football tactics. The project, led by researchers Zhe Wang and Petar Velickovic, used data from 9,693 corner kicks collected from the 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2022–23 (up to January 2023) Premier League seasons, feeding information on each player’s height, weight, starting location, and movement throughout the corner routine.

The information from each player enabled the researchers to predict the outcomes most likely to occur within a given corner setup. For example, which player is likely to receive the ball? Will the sequence lead to a shot attempt?

Once the sequence has been played, the analysis can then build a picture to determine whether similar routines have been successful in the past. Crucially, TacticAI can draw from this analysis to generate suggestions that improve the outcome of the corner. For example, moving players’ positioning or body orientation to reduce the chances of conceding a shot from a specific corner.

The graphic below shows four suggestions made by TacticAI to tweak players’ positioning when defending a corner.

As evidence of the model’s capability, experts at Liverpool — including assistant coaches, video analysts and data scientists — were unable to distinguish between the output provided by TacticAI’s suggestions and real-life corner routines, with the suggested routines favoured from the original corner sequence 90 per cent of the time — highlighting how effective the model can be in providing improvements within the tactical structure.

As you can see in the graphic above, the advised tweaks might appear subtle but joint-lead researcher Velickovic emphasises these suggestions are in-keeping with modern-day football. Small changes in distances, timing, and decision-making can be the difference between victory and defeat.

“The aim is not to tell you that a player needs to move two or three metres to the left or the right,” Velickovic told The Athletic. “You make minor adjustments to a player’s location, orientation or velocity which are all relatively small, and that was deliberate.”

A core aim of Liverpool’s project with Google DeepMind is to provide coaches and analysts with a tool to help them with workflow. Opposition analysts often watch hundreds of videos in the lead-up to a game, which is labour-intensive. The ability of TacticAI to sift through similar opponent routines and curate defensive strategies is powerful.

It is more time-efficient to draw conclusions in a fraction of the time and this work provides an objective tactical approach without bias, underpinned by thousands of examples.

“This tool is designed to accelerate a coach’s ability to spot patterns,” Velickovic said. “Coaches are looking at complex situations with 22 players, and they have to work out what the key parts are that made or broke a particular strategy — and which players were responsible.”

“With a system like this — where it immediately produces adjustments to all of the defensive players — you can focus your attention and immediately spot that, for example, a specific defender is doing something wrong.”

“If this happens to your defender over many situations, you can then try to fix it in your coaching. If it is an opposing player, you can work on strategies to exploit that weakness.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold takes a corner against Atalanta last season (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

It is worth noting this research evaluates the potential use of such an approach, and is yet to be rolled out in Liverpool’s matchday analysis. Nevertheless, the rise of dedicated set-piece coaches shows how many clubs are growing wise to this important part of the game — with 28 per cent of all goals scored from dead-ball situations in the Premier League last season.

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For Velickovic, the marginal impact this work can have could prove crucial.

“We can never exactly forecast what will happen in a corner,” Velickovic said. “But if you increase your chances of scoring or decrease the chances of conceding by even one per cent, that can make a huge difference over the course of a season.”

Corners have been responsible for some of the most important moments in Liverpool’s recent history. Jurgen Klopp’s final trophy as manager was thanks to a Virgil van Dijk header from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner to clinch the Carabao Cup against Chelsea in February.

The unlikely figure of Alisson Becker scored an iconic last-minute header to convert Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner against West Bromwich Albion in 2021 to keep Liverpool’s top-four hopes alive.

And Liverpool fans do not need a second invitation to relive Alexander-Arnold’s quickly-taken corner to Divock Origi in the 2019 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona — one of the most memorable goals in the club’s history.

“Corner taken quickly… ORIGIIII!!!!” 😱😍
Does Divock delivering in our incredible comeback against Barcelona get your vote for our greatest ever goal?
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 22, 2022

Ultimately, the delivery Alexander-Arnold provides from set pieces is the crucial component to ensure a choreographed routine is executed. As set-piece specialist Gianni Vio has previously told The Athletic, “The taker is the most important player in set pieces.”

The statistical models can be instructive for coaches, but without strong delivery, the sequence collapses.

GO DEEPER

Gianni Vio on the art of set pieces: ‘They are a game within the game’

Looking at last season, the numbers suggest Liverpool could improve their conversion from corners when assessed against the rest of the Premier League. Their 4.2 goals per 100 corners was their poorest rate since 2018-19, with their overall goals scored and conceded per 100 corners almost perfectly aligned with the league average.

This project was the final milestone in Liverpool’s multi-year journey with Google DeepMind, but the collaboration shows an ongoing desire to push boundaries and find an edge when using analytics in football. It is a partnership that traces back to 2021, where their work has seen them publish two other papers relating to AI in football tactics and its use in analysing penalty kicks.

The constant evolution of football tactics means that the analysis of corner kicks is a dynamic process that should be continually updated. An optimal strategy in 2015 might look different today. The best for the German Bundesliga could be different from the Premier League.

The potential for this AI model to grow across multiple seasons and wider leagues is where analysts can create an extra dimension in their tactical approach and strategic decision-making.

At its core, AI is the ability of a computer to perform tasks that we typically associate with humans. The growth of AI — specifically, Generative AI via platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini — has been visible across multiple industries worldwide.

GO DEEPER

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While these platforms are fantastic resources for coaches and analysts to use as tools, they should never replace human expertise. Data’s place in football is secured, but the combination of objective and subjective analysis is where staff can optimise their in-game decision-making. We are not entering a world where football is played by machines.

For now, at least.

(Top photo: Playmaker/MB Media/Getty Images)

Sports

2026 World Cup Odds: How Far Can Mexico Go After Winning Group A?

Published

8 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

2026 World Cup Odds: How Far Can Mexico Go After Winning Group A?

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After its massive 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday night, Mexico has won Group A and officially clinched a spot in the knockout round.

El Tri will play its Round of 32 game in Mexico City, and will face the third-place finisher in either Group C/E/F/H/I.

This is the fourth time that Mexico has topped the group stage of a World Cup, with the other three coming in 1986, 1994 and 2002.

With the win, Mexico remains unbeaten in World Cup group games at home, going a combined 6-2-0 (W-D-L), with two wins and a draw in 1970 and 1986, and now two wins in 2026.

Before the tournament began, Mexico was listed at +6500 to win the World Cup. Now, after winning its first two games of the tournament, Mexico has surged up the oddsboard to +5000.

Can Mexico build off its first two matches and make a deep run in this tournament? Let’s check out the updated odds for El Tri as of June 19.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Team Mexico — Stage of Elimination

Last 32: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Last 16: +135 (bet $10 to win $23.50 total)
Quarterfinals: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Semifinals: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Runner-up: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Outright winner: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)

Mexico is currently +5000 to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning Group A (Getty Images).

Mexico’s Past World Cup Results:

1930: Group stage
1934: Did not qualify
1938: Withdrew
1950: Group stage
1954: Group stage
1958: Group stage
1962: Group stage
1966: Group stage
1970: Quarterfinals
1974: Did not qualify
1978: Group stage
1982: Did not qualify
1986: Quarterfinals
1990: Banned
1994: Round of 16
1998: Round of 16
2002: Round of 16
2006: Round of 16
2010: Round of 16
2014: Round of 16
2018: Round of 16
2022: Group stage
2026: TBD

What to know: Mexico has made a habit of being in the running, but never really being in the running. Make sense? Consider this: El Tri made it out of the group stage in seven consecutive World Cups (1994-2018), but never made it past the Round of 16 in any of those years. In 2022, Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage, and it will look to get back to its winning ways in 2026 after a great start to the tournament. With its win Thursday night, Mexico has now advanced to the knockout stage in eight of the last nine World Cups. It is important to note, however, that Mexico has never made it past the quarterfinals at a FIFA men’s World Cup.

Sports

Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel’s elite play and South Korea’s mistake help Mexico advance

Published

8 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel’s elite play and South Korea’s mistake help Mexico advance

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Three and a half years after its biggest failure on the World Cup stage in half a century, the Mexican national team needed only two games to advance to the knockout round of this year’s tournament as winner of Group A.

Mexico’s defense held off a spirited final push by South Korea, earning a 1-0 win on Thursday night at Guadalajara Stadium in front of a fiery announced sellout crowd of 45,522.

“It was a very tough game,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a mistake in the 50th minute, failing to stop what appeared to be a simple cross and bobbling the ball. That allowed Mexico’s Luis Romo to easily tap the ball into the net and claim a 1-0 lead.

“In the end, a mistake was going to tip the scales,” Aguirre said.

Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel blocks a shot from South Korea’s Son Heung-min during their World Cup match at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.

(Natacha Pisarenko / Ap Photo/natacha Pisarenko)

“You always want to be there; I felt it, and I got the chance,” said Romo, who started the game after starting the opener on the bench — a strategic change by the Mexican coach that paid off.

South Korea put pressure on the Mexican team throughout the game. Late in the scoreless first half, Jae-sung Lee came close to giving South Korea the lead. Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.

The crowd in Guadalajara grew frustrated and began booing the Mexican national team’s performance at the end of the first half.

Mexico, however, won back their cheers when it capitalized on South Korea’s costly mistake and converted it into a goal.

Obed Vargas replaced Romo in the 71st minute and was close to scoring a spectacular goal if not for Seung-gyu’s save.

El Tri earned a win without any other goals thanks, in part, to a great night by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, who stopped a header by Cho Gue-sung in the 87th minute. Captain Edson Álvarez helped turn away South Korea’s attack late, holding up relatively well despite having left ankle surgery during the past year.

“It was just a reflex,” said Rangel, whose club team Chivas plays at at Guadalajara Stadium. “I was very focused and stepped up when the team needed me, and I’m happy about that.”

LAFC star and South Korea captain Son Heung-min fired one shot over Mexico’s goalkeeper in the first half, but Álvarez cleared it off the line before the referee ruled Son was offsides.

South Korea finished controlling possession 58% of the time, but it only earned two shots on target.

“It wasn’t a good game because they didn’t let us do much,” Aguirre said.

Mexico was coming off a comfortable 2-0 victory over South Africa, while the South Koreans had defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, marking their first World Cup opening-match win since 2010.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Mexico was eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1978, breaking a streak of seven consecutive appearances in the knockout rounds. However, playing on home soil, the team’s goal is to emulate El Tri’s achievements in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals — the country’s best World Cup finish.

Due to the new 48-team format, Mexico would need to win two knockout-round matches and reach a sixth game to realize its goals.

“We’re taking it one step at a time; first, there’s the third game,” Romo said.

Mexico's Luis Romo celebrates with his teammates after scoring during a match against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium

After the win over South Korea, Mexico will close out group play against Czechia at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday. El Tri will get to play the first two games of the knockout round — should it win the first one — at Azteca Stadium, a venue where it has never lost a World Cup game.

South Korea has four points and will be favored when it plays South Africa Wednesday in Monterrey. If South Korea wins the match, it would be the Group A runner-up and advance to play the Group B runner-up on June 28 at SoFi Stadium.

“We want all nine points,” Vargas said of Mexico’s goal entering its next game against Czechia.

Sports

2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Race Tracker: Lionel Messi Is Alone At The Top

Published

18 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Race Tracker: Lionel Messi Is Alone At The Top

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Who’ll win the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? The race is on for who’ll score the most goals at the tournament, and it is set to be one of the tournament’s most closely watched storylines.

Several of the world’s top forwards will be aiming to finish as the competition’s leading goalscorer. Kylian Mbappé enters the tournament after winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Mikel Oyarzabal are among the other players expected to challenge for the award.

And check out our list of all the 2026 World Cup goals, ranked!

Favorites To Win The Golden Boot

Harry Kane: +310 (bet $10 to win $41 total)
Lionel Messi: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Kylian Mbappé: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Erling Haaland: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Kai Havertz: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Vinícius Júnior: +3300 (bet $10 to win $340 total)
Folarin Balogun: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Mikel Oyarzabal: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Lamine Yamal: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Raphinha: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Michael Olise: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Romelu Lukaku: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Viktor Gyökeres: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Cody Gakpo: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Cristiano Ronaldo: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)

3 Goals

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2 Goals

Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
Harry Kane (England)
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Harry Kane (England)
Elijah Just (New Zealand)
Yasin Ayari (Sweden)
Kai Havertz (Germany)
Folarin Balogun (USA)

1 Goal

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Rubén Vargas (Switzerland)
Ermin Mahmic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Michal Sadilek (Czechia)
Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)
Jáminton Campaz (Colombia)
Luis Díaz (Colombia)
Daniel Muñoz (Colombia)
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan)
Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana)
Jude Bellingham (England)
Marcus Rashford (England)
Martin Baturina (Croatia)
Petar Musa (Croatia)
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
João Neves (Portugal)
Marko Arnautović (Austria)
Jude Bellingham (England)
Marcus Rashford (England)
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
João Neves (Portugal)
Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana)
Ali Olwan (Jordan)
Romano Schmid (Austria)
Leo Østigard (Norway)
Ayman Hussein (Iraq)
Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)
Bradley Barcola (France)
Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)
Mohammad Mohebbi (Iran)
Maxi Araújo (Uruguay)
Abdulelah Al-Amri (Saudi Arabia)
Emam Ashour (Egypt)
Alexander Isak (Sweden)
Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden)
Mattias Svanberg (Sweden)
Omar Rekik (Tunisia)
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Keito Nakamura (Japan)
Daichi Kamada (Japan)
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands)
Felix Nmecha (Germany)
Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany)
Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Nathaniel Brown (Germany)
Deniz Undav (Germany)
Connor Metcalfe (Australia)
Nestory Irankunda (Australia)
John McGinn (Scotland)
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Breel Embolo (Switzerland)
Gio Reyna (USA)
Mauricio (Paraguay)
Cyle Larin (Canada)
Jovo Lukić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Ladislav Krejcí (Czechia)
Julián Quiñones (Mexico)
Raúl Jimenez (Mexico)
Hwang In-Beom (South Korea)
Oh Hyeon-Gyu (South Korea)