Injuries have derailed Liverpool’s seasons multiple times over the past few years and Arne Slot is looking to change that.
A crisis back in 2020-21 infamously led to Jordan Henderson having to play multiple games at centre-back, and last season saw significant stints on the sidelines for Alisson, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago and Diogo Jota.
As a result, importance has been placed on this as of late. And now a key new hire has been made to keep it this way.
Read more: 'UNBELIEVABLE' Liverpool star of the FUTURE set for Champions League CALL-UP
New Performance Nutritionist confirmed by club
Jack Lusby spotted Clare Farrell making an appearance on Liverpool's latest YouTube video and the club has since confirmed on their official account that she has been appointed as their new Lead Performance Nutritionist.
🔴 Liverpool have appointed Clare Farrell as their new lead performance nutritionist.
She joins from Munster Rugby. Previous roles in football at West Ham Women.
Believe head of nutrition Mona Nemmer is still with #LFC having been one of Jurgen Klopp’s core hires. pic.twitter.com/ZM0pfZKE9G
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) October 1, 2024
Farrell arrives after three years at Munster Rugby, who finished top of the United Rugby Championship league table last year and winning the tournament in 2022-23.
“A big part of my role with Munster is keeping the guys fed.” Farrell said in an interview with the Longford Leader, “I would be in charge of all of the food coming in… I’d do up menus… I’d be developing recipes and menus.”
And her official bio on the Liverpool website shows her role to be similar: ‘Her role oversees nutrition strategies at the club to support the players' health, performance and recovery around training and matches… Part of this sees the nutrition team work closely with the club chefs to ensure the daily menu offerings are in alignment with the team's performance nutrition requirements.’
Crucially, Farrell worked for West Ham Women as a performance nutritionist before this, as well as working with triathletes and local Gaelic Football and Hurling teams.
Importantly, her role is widened to ‘work with members of the squad on a one-on-one basis to individualise their training and game-day fuelling, recovery and supplement routines according to their specific positional demands and/or goals.’
Liverpool have been fortunate with injuries so far this season - only Harvey Elliott has faced an extended spell out due to an foot fracture suffered on England youth duty - and this has been crucial to their position at the top of the Premier League.
The medical team will be an essential part of the team staying there. With sports science at its most advanced level ever and only getting more relevant, a top-level backroom staff is critical to the performance of Arne Slot’s men on the field. If Liverpool can remain injury-light this season, Farrell will be top of the list to thank.