Liverpool hand out new contract that proves FSG right…

Liverpool hand out new contract that proves FSG right and Richard Keys wrong

It takes a lot for Richard Keys to admit he may have been wrong. Especially regards matters Liverpool.

But the disgraced former Sky Sports presenter was willing to admit he erred in being so dismissive of Jurgen Klopp's continued attempts to extract every ounce from his squad by calling on the services of throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark.

"I was never convinced by Liverpool’s use of a ‘specialist’ throw-in coach - but maybe I was wrong," said Keys late last year. "The stand-out argument appears to be that teams have to be careful when taking a throw because they’re down a man at that moment. Maybe - but it’s only for a millisecond if they are."

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Keys wasn't alone in ridiculing the Reds appointment, his beIN Sports colleague Andy Gray barely able to contain his laughter when Gronnemark was first signed up at the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

But that the Dane has now agreed a deal to work with Liverpool for a fifth successive campaign underlines the effectiveness of his contribution.

Gronnemark, who was once the record holder for the world's longest throw-in at 51.33m, was generous with his response to Gray's initial scepticism. “I have no problem with what he said, because everyone is entitled to their opinion and debate is good," he said. "But perhaps he could be a little more curious."

Indeed, Liverpool and Klopp have long kept an open mind when it comes to ways in which they can improve an already world-class squad. As was again underlined last season, with the Reds falling short in a title race with Manchester City by a point for the second time in four campaigns and narrowly beaten in the Champions League final by Real Madrid, small margins can make a huge difference at elite level.

In the summer of 2019, renowned surfer Sebastian Steudtner was invited by Klopp during a pre-season camp in Evian to talk to the Liverpool squad about handling stress in pressurised situations. Steudtner, regarded as the world's best high-wave surfer, was tasked with teaching the Reds about breathing techniques underwater that would help deal with stress and situations of adversity.

That same close season also saw sports psychologist Lee Richardson taken on, a position which assumed greater importance as the squad grappled with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and in particular the three-month lockdown during 2020.

And last summer, the Reds began working with Niklas Hausler and Patrick Hantschke from neuro11 - a scientific group who develop mental strength training programmes for professional sports - to help improve their set-pieces. The subsequent penalty shoot-out triumphs in the League Cup and FA Cup finals against Chelsea prompted Klopp to praise after the latter success the difference made by their efforts.

"They are neuroscientists and they said ‘we can train penalty shooting’," said the Reds boss. "We said ‘really? That sounds interesting, come over’. And so this trophy is for them, just like the Carabao Cup was.”

It proved the ultimate example of how marginal gains can be made by thinking outside the box - or, in the case of Gronnemark, from the touchline. With the fight for the Premier League title expected to be as keenly-fought as ever, Liverpool and owners FSG will hope those small advantages can add up to something bigger over the coming season.

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