'They'd work every day if we let them'
Liverpool's head of performance has detailed the individual management that is overseen by the club's Melwood staff to ensure that the likes of Jordan Henderson and Luis Suarez thrive on a matchday.
The former has started each and every one of the Reds' Barclays Premier League fixtures in 2013-14; the latter, meanwhile, has been a constant presence since returning to action back in September.
Suarez's goals - 23 of them in the top flight so far this season - usually dominate headlines surrounding the Uruguayan, but his relentless work-rate and desire regularly catches the eye too.
It is important, therefore, that Brendan Rodgers' players follow the requisite schedule in between matches to maximise their output on the pitch - and that is where Glen Driscoll comes in.
A long-time staff member alongside the Liverpool manager, the sports science expert has explained exactly how the squad's fitness is maintained at the highest levels - with a particular focus on the aforementioned duo.
Driscoll told Liverpoolfc.com: "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."
One player who has defied expectations throughout the campaign is Suarez's strike partner, Daniel Sturridge, who has racked up a phenomenal 19 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.
And all that despite the fact that the 24-year-old's pre-season was limited to a matter of days by injury, before an ankle problem sidelined the Englishman for six weeks back in November.
"When injuries do happen, we take it as an opportunity to work on a player's fitness, strength and injury prevention programme," Driscoll reflected.
"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."