Liverpool’s Premier League Title Charge: The Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes
As the Premier League season unfolds, Liverpool stands on the brink of a potential championship victory. If they do clinch the title, the accolades will be plentiful, and rightly so. Head coach Arne Slot, who joined from Feyenoord in the summer, has been instrumental in orchestrating this remarkable campaign. His tactical acumen and leadership have been pivotal in Liverpool’s resurgence.
Then there’s Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward who has been nothing short of sensational. With 25 goals and 17 assists in the league this term, Salah has been a beacon of consistency and brilliance, even as contract negotiations loom over his future at the club. His contributions on the field have been invaluable, and he will undoubtedly be celebrated for his stellar individual campaign.
Even Jürgen Klopp, Slot’s predecessor, deserves a nod of appreciation. Klopp’s efforts in assembling a squad capable of thriving in his absence have not gone unnoticed. The foundation he laid has been crucial to Liverpool’s current success.
However, the spotlight should also shine on those working tirelessly behind the scenes, particularly the medical department. Their role in maintaining player fitness and availability has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s campaign.
Liverpool recently navigated their most demanding stretch of the season, with a grueling schedule that included five games in just 15 days. Despite this intense period, only defenders Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, along with midfielder Tyler Morton, were unavailable for the clash against Newcastle United. This remarkable level of player availability is a testament to the club’s medical and performance staff.
While Liverpool’s rivals, including second-placed Arsenal, have struggled with injuries, Slot’s side has managed to keep their key players fit. Is it merely luck, or is there a method to Liverpool’s impressive injury record?
Injury Landscape: A Delicate Balance
Reflecting on the previous season, Liverpool faced a daunting injury crisis. At the end of February 2024, Klopp’s squad was depleted, with nine first-team players sidelined, including Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Salah. Despite these challenges, Liverpool triumphed over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, a victory Klopp described as “the most special trophy” of his career.
However, the injury toll took its toll on Liverpool’s form, causing them to falter in the title race and exit both the Europa League and FA Cup at the quarter-final stage. According to the Premier Injuries website, Liverpool lost 21 different players to injury that season, second only to Tottenham Hotspur’s 22.
Klopp lamented the situation, stating, “It would be helpful if we had a bit more than one player for each position.” The absentees missed a combined 1,383 days, significantly more than champions Manchester City (672) and runners-up Arsenal (898).
Ben Dinnery, founder of Premier Injuries, emphasized the unpredictable nature of injuries, saying, “The injury landscape can change within the blink of an eye.” He highlighted the cascading effect of injuries, where a few setbacks can lead to a vicious cycle of player unavailability.
Slot’s Attention to Detail
When Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes sought Klopp’s successor, Slot’s impressive injury record at Feyenoord stood out. During his three seasons in Rotterdam, Feyenoord maintained player availability levels above 90%. Slot introduced innovative measures to keep his squad in peak condition.
Sinclair Bishop, an ESPN Netherlands correspondent, noted Slot’s approach, saying, “When Slot came in, the team weren’t used to playing three matches a week, so in preseason he arranged a lot of friendly games for the players.” This strategy prepared the team for the rigors of the season, resulting in minimal injuries.
Slot’s head of performance, Ruben Peeters, played a crucial role in Feyenoord’s success. With Andreas Kornmayer’s departure from Liverpool, Slot appointed Peeters as the club’s lead physical performance coach. New measures, such as early-morning yoga and hydrotherapy sessions, have been implemented to ensure players remain in top condition.
Slot also made a subtle yet impactful change by allowing players to stay at home the night before home matches. He explained, “People that have more knowledge about this than me tell me that you always sleep better in your own bed than a hotel bed.”
Players’ Commitment to Fitness
Of the 24 players who have featured for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, 11 have suffered injuries that ruled them out of at least one league match. These absences total 68 league games missed. In contrast, Arsenal’s 18 players have combined to miss 125 league games, while Manchester City’s 14 players have missed 112 league games.
Liverpool has succeeded in keeping key players like Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Ryan Gravenberch fit, with all three featuring in every Premier League match this season. Dinnery praised Salah’s resilience, comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in terms of availability and performance levels.
Slot has credited players for their dedication to fitness, stating, “The only thing I know is that from the moment that I stepped in, these players put a lot of effort in themselves to stay fit.”
Van Dijk echoed these sentiments, emphasizing personal responsibility, “At the end of the day a lot of it is your own responsibility because we have the tools in order to prepare for games, recover, but it is what you do with your free time.”
As Liverpool enters the final stretch of the season, they find themselves in an extraordinary position. If Slot’s side manages to secure more silverware, their impressive injury record will be a testament to their success.
Originally Written by: Beth Lindop
