Expert Reveals the Truth Behind Liverpool’s Impressive Injury Record Under Arne Slot | OneFootball

The Real Reasons Behind Liverpool’s Impressive Injury Record Under Arne Slot

As we approach the business end of the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool have their eyes set on the biggest prizes in world football. Arne Slot’s side currently sit 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and are also in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after comfortably topping the league phase.

The Reds also have a trip to Wembley on the horizon, where they will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

Whilst there have been plenty of reasons behind Liverpool’s incredible success so far this season, but opposition fans will have you believe that it is down to luck. With Arsenal and Manchester City keen to point out their ‘bad luck’ in the injury department, whilst Liverpool have seemingly dealt with it much better.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery spoke exclusively to Anfield Index and shared the real reasons behind Liverpool’s impressive injury record compared to their title rivals…

Slot’s Impact

“There are elements of luck to it,” began Dinnery, “Football is a contact sport and you can never pinpoint one specific reason why an injury record may change.”

“I think Arne Slot and his backroom staff should take some credit for how they’ve managed the injuries,” Dinnery continued, “We know that the Premier League is the most intense league in the world and keeping injuries to a minimum in his first season is some achievement.”

Photo: IMAGO

Of course, there has still been some slight issues with some important members of Slot’s first-team squad with the likes of Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota struggling at times throughout the season.

However, Liverpool have managed to avoid fitness issues with their standout performers with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister all having injury-free seasons so far.

Key Differences to Jurgen Klopp

“Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool had that ‘heavy metal’ style of play with the high press and high intensity,” pointed out Dinnery, “Slot is a little bit more conservative in his approach.”

“We all know that when you’re playing high volume of games at such a high intensity, fatigue becomes a huge concern,” continued Dinnery, “By dialling down the demands on his players, it can mitigate the risk of injury and prolong their involvement in the squad.”

Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday could be seen as a prime example of Slot’s ability to control his squad’s fitness. Both Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota were unused substitutes in the victory and were given the game off, mostly with the hope of keeping them fresh for the remaining 11 Premier League games in Liverpool’s title challenge.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s tactics and style of play was also clear to see on Sunday, maintaining a strong shape and not needing to push his players to their limits in order to secure the three points in the end.

This sense of control has not only gave Liverpool a technical edge over their opponents for most of the season, but has also played a huge part in keeping the core of this squad together to build serious momentum into the latter stages of the season.