‘I used to be Liverpool’s throw-in coach – now I’m plotting their downfall in Prem’
Throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark has opened up about his abrupt departure from Liverpool as he plots an Anfield upset with Brentford.
The Dane was a key determine behind Jurgen Klopp‘s trophy-laden aspect earlier than his sudden exit final season. Now, following his break up with the Reds, the 47-year-old is teaming up with fellow Dane Thomas Frank and Brentford’s data-driven analysts.
Despite his earlier work on Merseyside, Gronnemark warns they need to brace for surprises from throw-ins this weekend. “There will be no challenges around the fact I have coached both teams – my coaching is tailored to specific needs,” Gronnemark advised The Mirror.
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“All teams have contrasting playing styles and approaches, therefore I have taught in many different ways.” Gronnemark remembers how his distinctive coaching strategies led to a vital aim by Roberto Firmino throughout Liverpool’s historic title cost in January 2020.
He stated: “In my second 12 months at Liverpool, Spurs and Jose Mourinho worked on how to defend our throw-ins for two-and-a-half hours – both on the training pitch and with video analysis.
“We then scored the profitable aim from a throw-in state of affairs. You could be actually good at executing throw-ins; lengthy, quick or intelligent and it is nonetheless actually arduous to defend as a result of there are such a lot of conditions that happen.”
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(Image: Liverpool FC by way of Getty Images)
When Gronnemark first joined Liverpool in July 2018, the group was fighting throw-ins, protecting possession solely 45.4% of the time. But only a 12 months later, that they had improved to 68.4%, the second highest in Europe.
The high spot? That went to a different of Gronnemark’s groups, FC Midtjylland. However, COVID-19 and Brexit journey restrictions restricted Gronnemark’s affect on the Reds, regardless of in depth distant video evaluation.
After solely two visits to Kirkby final season, and a chat with Klopp, the Liverpool boss determined it was time for them to half methods. “After COVID, the level of throw-ins went from the best in the world to only good,” Gronnemark explains.
(Image: Liverpool FC by way of Getty Images)
“I thought ‘if I continue, we should put it up to four or five times like before’. I said this to Jurgen but he came back to me and said they wanted to try and do it themselves without me this season.
“It sounds bizarre but it surely was answer for me as a result of I wasn’t happy, I at all times wish to be one of the best I can with my work.”
Gronnemark, who has also worked with numerous other sides around the world including Ajax, Gent, Trabzonspor, Atlanta United, Toulouse, Philadelphia Union and Pachuca, spent two seasons with Brentford between 2016 and 2018 before returning to the west London club in 2022.
(Image: CameraSport by way of Getty Images)
Ivan Toney’s respective FA ban threw a serious spanner into the works and crafty craftsman Gronnemark needed to react and adapt his Brentford throw-in teaching blueprint accordingly – although understandably, he’s not ready to disclose any of his secrets and techniques.
He stated coyly: “I won’t talk so much about individual players due to the strategy but every team has what I call throw-in superpowers. Ivan Toney is really good at some things, other players are really good at other things so you have to build that into your strategy. It also counts for defending wise, defending throw-ins all around the pitch.”
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Gronnemark is thrilled about his particular Danish bond with the Bees’ top-notch strategist Frank, which he believes is essential for his or her joint triumph. He wrapped up by saying: “No matter where you are in the world, the closer you get to the people you work with – the better the results.
“If you have already got a typical data like Danish then you have already got a bonus. That’s simply as essential because the ability set you’ve gotten as a result of should you’re not linked to the individuals you’re employed with, it is arduous to maximise the potential.”
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