Thomas Gronnemark, Special Staff Thrown Into Liverpool

DBasia.news – At the end of August 2018, Liverpool recruited Thomas Gronnemark as Jurgen Klopp’s coaching staff. Uniquely, the staff became a special throw-in coach for the Reds.

At that time, Liverpool’s decision to bring the Danish coach was somewhat surprising. Even the news of the arrival of the coach who was no less exciting than the purchase of Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Naby Keita.

Most questioned Liverpool’s “strange” decision. Many have hurled ridicule like Andy Gray. “I want to be the first kick-off coach,” the pundit said mockingly. Even Jurgen Klopp admitted he had never heard of a throw-in coach before hiring Gronnemark.

“To be honest, I have never heard of a throw-in coach. When I heard about Thomas, I immediately wanted to meet him. After meeting, I 100 percent wanted to recruit him,” Klopp said as quoted from the official Liverpool website.

“We use the information for the match. We also apply it in the academy. This is a good thing. You always need a specialist. We have specialists in player’s fitness, health, nutrition, and now throw in.”

Receiving a variety of response to mockery, Gronnemark claimed to be able to understand all that. “I know this is indeed the strangest job in the world,” said the man who claimed to be the world’s first throw-in specialist.

Liverpool effectiveness

When Gronnemark arrived at Liverpool, the question arose, why did the Reds bring in a specialist throw-in coach? Does Klopp want to make Liverpool like Stoke?

In the Premier League, Stoke is synonymous with deep and accurate throw-ins. Rory Delap is a figure known as an expert in throw-in, even the goal boy always prepares a towel that Delap uses to wipe the ball.

Gronnemark asserted from the beginning that his job was more than just throwing the ball as far as possible or changing the game of Liverpool. “My job is not to turn Liverpool into Stoke.”

For information, Gronnemark had become the world record holder in the furthest throw with 51.33 meters, before it was broken by US player, Michael Del Lewis who threw 59.83 meters in 2019.

However, as Gronnemark said, he didn’t just practice the matter of the throw. He explained many things that needed to be mastered to make the throw-in effective, even able to change the situation and the outcome of the match.

Within a few moments working with Liverpool, Gronnemark’s touch could be seen. “I see Joe Gomez taking a few throws for Liverpool. I have never seen anything like that,” said former Arsenal striker, Ian Wright.

“It looks like Gronnemark has taught him something. You can say Liverpool will get huge benefits from him,” continued Wright.

If you pay attention, your opponent will think twice about throwing the ball in their own defense against Liverpool. When combined with the game pressing applied, this situation makes it harder for opponents.

“Generally speaking against Liverpool, I don’t want to throw the ball. But I didn’t say Liverpool would throw far away. You will never know when they did it,” stated Gronnemark.

Before Gronnemark entered, Liverpool had the third worst record in the Premier League in terms of a successful throw-in when pressed, with a success rate of only 45 percent. After Gronnemark entered, Liverpool became one of the best in Europe in the same category, increasing to 68 percent.

Liverpool and Klopp’s decision to bring Gronnemark has its reason. Liverpool have seen Gronnemark’s work before. Yes, Liverpool is not the first to use the services of the specialist.

Gronnemark has worked as a throw-in coach since 2004. He has been one of the keys to Midtjylland’s success in dominating the Danish league. Even when he was one of Midtjylland’s weapons, the most feared by the opponent was a throw-in.

“Midtjylland has proven that throwing in can be a weapon, if you do it with the right technique, accurate, and in accordance with tactics,” added Gronnemark.

“If you can throw the ball correctly, then combined with the tactic aspect, scoring goals will be easier.”

The Science Behind the Throw

Gronnemark counts about 40-50 throws in a match. He explained, so far the throw-in is not considered as important as set-pieces or other dead-ball schemes. Therefore Gronnemark assesses the throw-in is still underestimated. Though it is not easy to take effective throw-in.

“Don’t expect professional players to become world-class pitchers without a coach. At present, the standard in general is still bad, “explained Gronnemark.

In fact, according to Gronnemark, the throw-in would be more helpful for small clubs. That’s why Stoke and Rory Delap feared the opponent during the throw-in scheme.

“Focusing on the throw-in can save the life of a small club. That is one tool for survival.”

“But for a top club, the throw-in helps the game style become more fluid. In essence, in any position of the club, the throw-in is very profitable,” continued Gronnemark.

Gronnemark has provided three types of throw-in; long throw, fast throw, and smart throw. The far throw can be likened to a cross or free kick. For quick tosses it is useful when launching a counterattack. While intelligent throwing is related to ball possession when under pressure.

There are things that are not widely understood about the Gronnemark task. The coach handles all aspects related to the throw-in, not merely a matter of throwing the ball. “I focus on everything. Not just throwing techniques, I also practice how to take a throw-in, how to move, position selection, to the creation of space.”

Gronnemark also uses a statistical approach and video analysis in providing his knowledge. He revealed there are 25-30 aspects only for far throws. For this reason it is important for him to use video analysis. Not only that, video analysis is also used to see the opponent’s habits in a throw-in. For Liverpool, this is useful in pressing.

Now more and more clubs are realizing the importance of the throw-in. No wonder Gronnemark has received many offers to provide his knowledge.

“I work part time for Ajax, Genk and other clubs. But I will never train for a rival club,” Gronnemark continued.

At the end of the story, there is no longer people teasing the work of Gronnemark, the throw-in specialist.