Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was ridiculed when it was announced he had hired throw-in specialist Thomas Gronnemark last August.
At the time of the appointment, former Everton striker Andy Gray took a swipe at the German manager .
Speaking on beIN Sports, the pundit sneered: "I’m sorry, a throw-in coach? Here’s the ball, pick it up with both hands, take it behind your head and throw it with both feet on the ground.
"I’ve got a new one for you, I want to be the first kick-off coach."
But new figures now show since Gronnemark's arrival at the club Liverpool have vastly improved their success rate and possession retention when taking throw-ins.
Statistics from the 2018/19 campaign - highlighted by Tifo Football - show the Reds have gone from rivalling relegation bound clubs to becoming the most productive team at retaining possession from throws in Europe's top five leagues.
Remarkably, this transformation took place over the course of the Dane's debut season at Melwood.
Liverpool went from being the third worst throw-in takers in the Premier League to winning the ball back from throws taken under pressure 68.4 per cent of the time.
The only club repping a better percentage in Europe is FC Midtjylland.
Interestingly, the two-time Danish champions - who boast a 70.2% possession retainment rate - are also coached by the 43-year-old.
In 2017/18, before the Dane joined Klopp's staff, Liverpool retained the ball 45.4 per cent and were only above now-relegated sides Swansea City and Huddersfield Town in the list of optimal throwers.
The Reds allowed opposition teams to win the ball back 51.8 per cent of the time.
Gronnemark, who recently announced for the 2019/20 season, has helped Liverpool fine tune their throw-in game.
So much so, Andy Robertson in particular has saw his throwing range increase by 11 metres.
The Scottish left-back can now throw the ball a whopping 30 metres.
Klopp's appointment of Gronnemark, who describes himself as a "Freelance throw-in coach" , has not only complimented Liverpool's pressing style of play but ultimately paid dividends for the Reds.
Gronnemark's arrival may have been sneered at by some but his influence has been impactful.
This increase in possession from throws will have played a key part as Liverpool were crowned European Cup winners last term.
The teams who dominate the ball in the Champions League are 66.4 per cent more likely to win the game.
