"When I heard about Thomas Gronnemark, 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."
There's no better ringing endorsement than that. Those are the words of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp about this week's main interviewee on Team 33.
Since last July, Thomas Gronnemark has specialised in coaching Liverpool's throw-in takers. And among the marginal gains that have pushed Liverpool into the white hot heat of a Premier League title battle that's reaching searing temperatures, throw-in technique has been a part of that successful mix.
Throw-in Coach
But what does the work of a throw-in coach entail? And what has the long throw-in record-holder been focusing on with this Liverpool squad?
He joined Jonathan Higgins and I on this week's Team 33.
"You can listen to Gronnemark's full interview with Raf Diallo and Jonathan Higgins right below, here, or on iTunes. Or you can watch above via the Off The Ball YouTube channel.
The Dane explained his concept of the long, fast and clever throw-in and how certain techniques suit certain teams and tactics. He also told the story of how Klopp got in touch with him last summer, while he was away with his family.
And he also discussed his background which saw him involved with bobsled and athletics, and how his early fascination with throw-ins developed.
On the main show, we had a packed studio to discuss some poor punditry.
Killian Woods returned to the panel armed with an excerpt from BT Sport where Paul Scholes appeared to dismiss the non-West Ham and Premier League parts of Dimitri Payet's career.
That led on to a discussion about pundits who take little interest of things outside the Premier League. So in studio to chat about that were: Joe Coffey, Killian, Derek Ryan, Jonathan, Enda Coll and I.
