The new-look team aiming to improve Liverpool's injury record

Liverpool hope that improved availability can add just as many points this season as the arrival of Arne Slot.

Photo: IMAGO | Anfield Index

Arne Slot’s arrival as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement may have been the most high-profile change at Liverpool this summer, but it was far from the only one.

The departure of a legendary manager who had been given licence to shape the club in his own image across eight-and-a-half years was viewed by Fenway Sports Group as an opportunity to press the reset button. 

And so a revolution behind the scenes at the AXA Training Centre was set into motion, with Michael Edwards asked to oversee it following his return in the role of CEO of Football.

Of course, the first priority was the appointment of a new sporting director in Richard Hughes, then securing the services of the highly rated Slot.

But gains were also to be sought beyond the dugout, including in a medical department that had come under fire in recent seasons.

Liverpool weren’t the hardest hit Premier League club in terms of timeloss injuries last season with 35, but it proved significant that they outstripped both Manchester City (26) and Arsenal (23) by that measure.

The same goes for the fact the Reds lost more days (1,383) to fitness issues than either Mikel Arteta’s side (898) or the eventual champions (672).

The consequences of those figures could be seen in their sudden departure from a title race they had led with just eight games remaining.

In truth, the injury crisis that derailed 2023-24 had become something of a theme in recent years, denying some of the strongest squads in Liverpool’s history a chance to win major honours.

No wonder, then, that a job posting for one of many medical roles advertised this summer began: “We are aiming to change the way that medical and performance services are delivered at Liverpool Football Club.”

To that end, the club have promoted Jonathan Power to run the entire department in the role of director of medicine and performance, just a year on from his arrival as team doctor.