England’s equaliser shows benefits of Liverpool’s specialist throw-in coach

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Jurgen Klopp’s decision to appoint a specialist throw-in coach in the early part of this season brought no shortage of ridicule and consternation.

English football is simultaneously dismissive of new ideas and perplexed about its inability to compete with foreign rivals so naturally, a new idea like Klopp’s was mocked.

But as Joe Gomez launched a long throw into the Croatian box prior to the move that led to England’s equaliser at Wembley yesterday, Gareth Southgate’s side felt the full benefit.

Some observers may view the goal as an example of an old-fashioned English set-piece approach but in an era where marginal gains have never been more important, Klopp is right to try and gain an advantage wherever possible.

Southgate himself is not adverse to looking outside of football’s traditional narrow sphere of knowledge to pick up ideas and he will welcome Klopp’s outside the box thinking.

The Three Lions boss has built his side on the ideals of Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham and if they are prepared to keep innovating to push the boundaries of English football, he will continue to be the happy secondary beneficiary.

English football fans won’t mind what Klopp tries next, so long as it pays off on the biggest stage once more…