'How Reds are primed for pressing game'
Liverpool's head of fitness and conditioning, Ryland Morgans, has shed light on how Brendan Rodgers' side have been able to maintain such a high level of intensity to their play this season.
The Reds have demonstrated an unyielding determination to press the ball high up the field and have made it their mission to harry the opposition into submission.
Such intensity was there for all to see when the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Arsenal were all beaten by wide margins in breathtaking fashion, both at home and on the road.
Morgans, who joined the club in October 2012, has helped implement training sessions that prepare the players to cope with the demands of such a high-intensity game plan.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's all based around what the manager wants to do, in and out of possession.
"Our week will be fairly structured in terms of from Saturday to Saturday games. We'll have generally two days of recovery, which are vitally important in that 48-hour window after every match.
"Then we'll have two days of preparation, in terms of conditioning, and then we'll have two days of out and out preparation, leading into a match.
"But it's all based on the manager's philosophy and how he tactically wants us to play. That's a vital part of ensuring players produce the physical attributes that you actually see.
"We produce a high press, we look at quick transitions and we look at counter-attacks. Those facets, from a physical perspective, are very demanding.
"We'll gather a fair amount of data on players based in the gym and that will ultimately determine what type of strength and conditioning system they will follow within there. Work in the gym will support their work out on the grass and help build strength, power and speed.
"Training will be very structured. Each day out on the grass, we'll have a different physical theme. So through a very football specific mode, we're looking to develop players within their areas of weakness."
Steven Gerrard was so impressed with Morgans' pre-season regime that he described the Welshman's sessions as 'brutal'.
Morgans has earned praise from all quarters for the way he prepared the players throughout the summer and then continuing on through the campaign so far.
The man who has previously worked with the Wales national side, Fulham and Swansea City, gave us an insight into how the day-to-day training at Melwood is geared for success out on the pitch.
"The preparation starts when the last game has just finished," he explained. "Two days of recovery are vitally important for us - and more so for certain players within our group.
"Then I think it's about making sure that during the conditioning days, we hit certain variables, ultimately determined by the tactical strategy that the manager wants to prepare for the forthcoming game.
"As we get closer to the match, we need to make sure that the volume and the intensity of the training is almost pulled back and made a little bit lighter for the players."