Liverpool may have new advantage over Man City after Premier League touchline change

Multi-million pound transfer activity will always generate the most headlines every summer. Liverpool and their supporters will be hoping that positive stories regarding their £85million signing Darwin Nunez flow throughout the 2022/23 campaign and beyond.

However, there were two far lower profile headlines earlier this week which were related to each other and could also impact how successful the Reds are this season. Firstly, throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark confirmed his contract has been renewed for a fifth year. While his appointment was initially criticised by backwards-thinking luddites, the Dane has proved his value to the club.

And his impact may be set to increase with a second piece of news. The Premier League have announced they are looking to reduce time-wasting by employing a multi-ball system on the touchlines. This will enable teams to take throw-ins more quickly, which could prove massively advantageous to Liverpool.

Across the seven seasons which Jurgen Klopp has been in England, his side have had more throw-ins than any other team in the top flight. When’s the parade, eh?

Jokes and jibes from rival fans aside, this is why Gronnemark’s work is so important. If Liverpool can take their well-coached throw-ins more swiftly then all the better. Their greater gain might be from opposing teams having to speed up too though.

According to the BBC, the ball was in play in a Reds match for an average of 57 minutes last season, whereas it was active in Manchester City’s games for 60 minutes and 53 seconds. Some of the difference will be thanks to Pep Guardiola’s possession-centric style which helps his side to keep the ball in play for longer. Opposing teams will have undoubtedly wasted time against them, just as