In the grind of a title race, the best ability is availability

When Liverpool were looking for Jurgen Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot ticked a lot of boxes.

- RICHARD JOLLY

He had overperformed relative to his budget. He had improved players with his coaching skills. He played the right brand of football. He was seen as a fine communicator.

One factor attracted less attention at the time. Liverpool noted Slot’s approach to sports science, to Feyenoord’s medical record. “At Feyenoord we kept our players fit – available is a better word – but we were always one of the fittest teams in the league as well when it came to running or the last 25 minutes of the game,” Slot said this month. As Liverpool head to the Etihad Stadium today, unbeaten in 22 league games and 17 points clear of the reigning champions, there are smaller numbers their rivals may seek to emulate.

Slot is definitely without Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley for the trip to Manchester City. Cody Gakpo is a doubt. But only Nottingham Forest, with two, entered the weekend with fewer injuries. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola was hinting at clearout at the Etihad, citing the need for players whose abilities included durability. City have been losing a player per game of late: Manuel Akanji was hurt at home against Real Madrid, Erling Haaland in the win over Newcastle, John Stones away in the Bernabeu.

City’s season has been sunk by one injury above all others: that of Rodri, compounded by their negligence in compiling a squad without another defensive midfielder. But it has also been notable for cluster injuries, a host in the same position – particularly centre-back – and players who have had stop-start campaigns, returning only to get sidelined again. Their bodies have broken down: perhaps because of age or being overworked at a club that, by the end of this season, may have played 536 games in nine years under Guardiola, an average touching 60 a season.