Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Liverpool, Football, Jurgen Klopp
Marcus Chan
Former Liverpool coach Thomas Gronnemark has hit back at claims that he has ruined football with his tactics.
Back in 2018, during Jurgen Klopp's tenure as Liverpool boss, Gronnemark arrived as the team's throw-in coach.
Speaking at the time, Klopp admitted that he had never heard of such a role before.
He said: "To be honest, I'd never heard about a throw-in coach.
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"When I heard about Thomas, it was clear to me I wanted to meet him; when I met him, it was 100% per cent clear I wanted to employ him."
As per the BBC, Gronnemark said Klopp contacted him as he was "curious" about his work.
The Dane also held the world record for the longest throw-in, measuring at 51.33m.
In recent times, long throws have become a big talking point, with teams starting to deploy the tactic more often during matches.
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As per Sky Sports, the number of long throws into an opponent's box has averaged at 1.38 since the 15/16 season.
However, so far in the 25/26 campaign, the number has skyrocketed to 3.85.
Taking to social media, one fan stated that Gronnemark 'ruined football' after posting a screenshot of a confirmation of his arrival at Liverpool back in 2018.
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In response, Gronnemark claimed that he took the team from 18th to 1st on Throw-in possession under pressure and he is not solely useful for long throws.
He wrote: "Some people don’t remember. In Liverpool FC I worked with the Fast and Clever throw-in and took the team from 18th to 1st on Throw-in possession under pressure.
"Most the throws should go to the feet or in front of a player running forward. It’s because of lack of throw-in training in the clubs, and lack of throw-in awareness by the coaches and players."
Speaking about long throws last month, Brentford boss Keith Andrews said: "I think sometimes there's a snobbery in the game (with long throws).
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"I think if you have it at your disposal, especially with the level that we can get with it, it would be very silly not to use it."