Liverpool Head of Fitness and Conditioning to Leave Club

The physical condition of Liverpool's players has been under more scrutiny than ever this season. Due to extended participation in all three cup competitions, the Reds will end the year with a minimum of 60 matches played. Since Klopp's appointment in October, they have averaged a match every four days. The fatigue brought on by this congested fixture list was further exacerbated by an onslaught of hamstring injuries in the winter months, in a downward spiral of muscular misery. As expected, performances have suffered in the interim, with the team struggling to put together high-quality performances back to back, and many players fading in the latter stages of games.

One of the main overseers of this difficult juggling act has been Dr. Ryland Morgans, whose responsibilities as head of fitness and conditioning have included coordinating with the medical and physiotherapy team in order to ensure the club's players are available and in top condition for as much of the season as possible. Having worked with Brendan Rodgers at Swansea, he followed the Antrim man to Liverpool in 2012. Now, with his four-year contract running out in the summer, he has decided to leave the club, while focusing full-time on his job as head of performance for the Welsh national team ahead of the 2016 Euros.

"This has been an extremely difficult decision to reach, but I feel now is the right time to move on and pursue a new challenge. I will always be grateful to Brendan Rodgers for giving me the opportunity to work at the highest club level of the game alongside some of the biggest figures in the industry.

"There have been some amazing experiences along the way and to serve a club of this stature is an honour and a privilege I will never forget. However, professionally, it is time to seek a new challenge.

"Finally, I would like to thank the club and Ian Ayre for their support during my time and wish Jürgen Klopp, the staff at Melwood and the supporters all the best for the future and every success for the remainder of the season."

Morgans will be replaced by U21's fitness coach Andy O'Boyle for the remainder of the season, as the search for a long-term replacement begins. Whether this is the staff alteration that improves Liverpool's fortunes in the fitness department remains to be seen, but fans will no doubt keep their fingers crossed that the next appointment can have a positive impact.