One of the best aspects of Jurgen Klopp’s work at Liverpool was his insistence in making the most out of ‘marginal gains.’
Aside from being an extraordinary personality and an underrated tactician, Klopp was also brilliant at recognising that he needed outside help to get his message across at times.
This sometimes meant recruiting sportspeople from other endeavours to come and speak with his players, other times it was hiring specialists to focus on minor improvement in the Liverpool team’s game.
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Is winning the FA Cup enough to keep Arne Slot in a job beyond 2025/26? If not, why? 🤔
Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
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Perhaps the best example of this was his hiring of throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark in 2018.
Gronnemark worked with Liverpool for five years in total, and having seen the Reds become European and Premier League champions in that time, it is fair to say that he was a success at Anfield. Now, Mikel Arteta is aiming to follow a similar path at Arsenal.
Arsenal hire former Liverpool coach Thomas Gronnemark
Although there is a strong argument that Liverpool should hire Gronnemark back given the stark change in approach to throw-ins across the Premier League recently, Arsenal have beaten them to the punch.
As per The Times, the Dane has been hired on a consultancy basis with the Gunners as they aim to topple Liverpool as champions.
Liverpool throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark takes a training session.
Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Gronnemark has reportedly been visiting Arsenal’s training ground to share his ‘knowledge and techniques,’ which presumably include some examples of his time at Liverpool.
The Times include a telling quote from Klopp, who credited the coach with “changing our throw-in game completely.” Arteta will be hoping he can give Arsenal a similar edge to help them finally win the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Liverpool remain without a specialist set-piece coach following the dismissal of Aaron Briggs last month.
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Even Slot admitted the performance was similar to recent weeks when he and the team were being slated…
Arne Slot after Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
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One former Liverpool coach likely to win the Premier League this year
While it is disappointing to see Gronnemark turn to one of Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, he was always an outside consultant for the Reds, he was not on the staff permanently.
Nevertheless, he was still a part of a successful period at Liverpool and it is a shame to see him turn his back on that and head to a rival.
Whether it is he or Pep Lijnders, it seems apparent that one of Klopp’s backroom team is set to win the Premier League this season.
Gronnemark’s decision to join Arsenal is clearly not comparable to Lijnders’ move to City after 10 years with the Reds, but fans may be a little dismayed to hear this all the same.
Since Klopp left, Liverpool’s coaching staff has become a bit of a mess. While their competitors continue to improve the Reds must find a better formula for Arne Slot.
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