Why Liverpool's dashing duo needs rest for team's sake

Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson

Liverpool duo Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson are so keen to put in extra work on the training ground their coaches are concerned they will risk suffering burn out during the Merseysiders run-in, reports the Daily Star.

With the Anfield outfit still in the race for their first Premier League crown the pair, who have been in excellent form for Brendan Rodgers this season, are desperate to succeed. Suarez has netted 23 goals, while Henderson is likely to earn a new contract due to his improved displays.

However, the club’s Sports Science expert Glen Driscoll has revealed he has had to put a special training regime in place to minimise their risk of injury.

“Luis is a phenomenon. He has an unrelenting drive and mentality but is also very robust intrinsically. But, extrinsically, because of the recovery strategies we give the players, we minimise the risk of burn-out.

“If we didn’t periodise the players appropriately, not giving them two days recovery, and a two-day preparation phase leading into games, which is lighter, we would be at risk of flat-lining players.

“What Henderson and Suarez have in common is we believe they are two players who need protecting from themselves. They would take the option of not recovering if we gave it to them and work every day between games.

“You have to admire their work ethic and desire but experience tells us if they did this, it would be detrimental to their performance and increase the risk of injury. There are other times in the week when we can let them fly and thankfully they are certainly doing that in matches at the moment,” Driscoll declared.

The management of Liverpool’s players is crucial as they cannot afford to have any of their star men injured if they are to continue to be seen as rank outsiders for the title.

However, striker Daniel Sturridge overcame his injury problems earlier in the season, with the medical staff paying tribute to his work ethic.

“When injuries do happen, we take it as an opportunity to work on a player’s fitness, strength and injury prevention programme. So although Sturridge was out injured with his ankle, he was doing long days at Melwood working on his general strength and conditioning.

“This commitment to his rehabilitation enabled him to come back and hit the ground running as he did after both injuries,” said Driscoll.

Jordan Henderson has made the most appearances of Liverpool’s outfield players this season with 26.