GO TO PLAN BEE ... EX-KOP COACH WHO IS READY TO THROW EVERYTHING AT THE REDS
BRENTFORD are plotting an Anfield upset – with help from Liverpool’s former throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark.
The Dane was one of the unsung heroes behind Jurgen Klopp’s all-conquering side that lifted seven major trophies before his surprise departure at the end of last season.
Now, the 47-year-old (above) is relishing his second spell with the Bees and claims Liverpool can still expect the unexpected 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,” said Gronnemark.
“All teams have contrasting playing styles and approaches, therefore I have taught in many different ways.”
Gronnemark claims the unpredictability of his work was reflected in January 2020 when Roberto Firmino struck a crucial winner at Tottenham.
He added: “In my second year at Liverpool, Spurs and Jose Mourinho worked on how to defend our throw-ins for two-anda-half hours – both on the training pitch and with video analysis. We then scored the winning goal from a throw-in situation.
“You can be really good at executing throw-ins – long, short or clever – and it’s still really hard to defend because there are so many situations that occur.”
When Gronnemark arrived at Liverpool in 2018, the Reds were 18th in the Premier League at keeping possession from throw-ins with a percentage of just 45.4.
One year later, it had improved to 68.4 percent – the second highest in Europe.
Who was top? One of Gronnemark’s other sides, FC Midtjylland. The Scandinavian expert was spending up to five interactive sessions per season with the Reds before Covid scuppered Liverpool’s efficiency.
Travel restrictions, which were further complicated by Brexit, unavoidably halted Gronnemark’s influence on the Reds – despite extensive remote video analysis.
He made just two visits to their Kirkby training base last season, and following consultation with Liverpool boss Klopp decided it was time to part ways.
“After Covid, the level of throw-ins went from the best in the world to only good,” Gronnemark said. “I thought, ‘If I continue, we should put it up to four or five times like before’.
“And I said this to Jurgen, but he came back to me and said they wanted to try to do it themselves without me this season.
“It sounds weird, but it was a good solution for me because I wasn’t satisfied, I always want to be the best I can with my work.” Gronnemark, who has also worked with Ajax, Gent, Atlanta United, Toulouse, Philadelphia Union and Pachuca, spent two seasons with Brentford between 2016 and 2018 before reuniting with the club in 2022.
Now he is embracing the Danish connection with Bees boss Thomas Frank.
“No matter where you are in the world, the closer you get to the people you work with the better the results,” he added.
“If you already have a common knowledge like Danish, then you already have an advantage.
“That’s just as important as the skill-set you have because if you’re not connected to the people you work with, it’s hard to maximise the potential.”