Joe mighty does some serious arm to Croatia
GARETH SOUTHGATE has a new weapon at his disposal.
The England boss has an array of attacking talents in his Three Lions team and now he has one more – Joe Gomez’s long throws.
The Liverpool defender launched the ball from the set-piece (above) that sparked Sunday’s sensational Nations League comeback.
This ability has been developed with the help of Thomas Gronnemark, a specialist throw-in coach who works for the Anfield club. And after Sunday’s game Gronnemark took to Twitter.
“Very proud of Joe’s throw-in,” he wrote, including footage from a fan of the move that led to Jesse Lingard’s equalising goal in the win over Croatia. Fair play Gronnemark – who had nominated Gomez as a potential danger from the tactic back in September – was right to feel vindicated.
Many criticised, even mocked Jurgen Klopp’s move to employ the 42-year-old, who holds the world record for the longest throw-in at 51.33m. Gronnemark (above) is now enjoying the last laugh.
Gomez, 21, doesn’t want to gain a reputation simply for being a chucker. He is baffled, however, by the refusal of some to embrace the marginal gains that end up being the difference between the top teams.
“Some people might bat an eyelid at certain things and think: ‘That is pointless!’ But small details are massive,” said the Liverpool defender.
“I don’t think you can underestimate what set-pieces can do in a game. I don’t want to build a reputation for just being able to take long throws.
“We got a goal from it and it’s nice to have a goal. But it’s not something we are going to rely on every time a ball goes out of play. We are a footballing side so I don’t want to be just be seen as that.”
That said, Gronnemark has revealed Gomez’s Reds team-mates Trent AlexanderArnold and Andy Robertson had benefited from their work with him (above).
“Yes, they have both improved a lot,” the Dane tweeted. “But it’s not only the long throw-in – but also the fast and clever throw-ins.” Dave Challinor Rory Delap Ian Hutchinson Aron Gunnarsson