With Europa League football secured for next season and with the transfer market not yet open, there is only one thing on the minds of football fans around the world, who is the fittest player at Liverpool Football Club?
For the past decade or more, James Milner has dominated the club’s pre-season lactate and beep tests. The 49 year old and his Yorkshire tea bags were so dominant that he decided to turn down the opportunity presented to him by Jurgen Klopp to defend his titles in order to test himself against different players under the guidance of a new physiotherapist.
Milner’s departure means the competition is wide open and rumours from top club sources have suggested that players are already hitting the gym in preparation for the worlds most talked about fitness test. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been to watch the NBA and Formula One competitions as he seeks advice from other sports stars, while Darwin Nunez refused to be included in the up coming Uruguay squad as he prepares his body for something far more important.
So with things hotting up in Kirkby, here are Rush The Kop’s top tips for the sporting world’s biggest summer contest.
Mo Salah
Let’s be honest about this, Mo Salah is a physical beast and the bookies favourite to take over Milner’s lactate title. He’s never injured, gives dietary advice to Frodo Elliott and ensures he is shredded for Mrs Salah 365 days of the years. The Egyptian King has had to play second fiddle to Sir James for the entirety of his Liverpool career and will see this summer as his chance to step out of the shadows and show his true lactate capabilities.
Cody Gakpo
The Dutchman only joined the club in January and may not be fully aware of the importance of what’s ahead of him. However, I have a sneaky feeling that he has the right mentality to switch it on during the beep test and will surprise many within the sporting world with his scores.
"“You should see him in training,” said some guy I met at the pub that reckons he works as a cleaner at the AXA Training centre. “He’s like a greyhound. Fast, slender and runs until Salah says he’s past the optimal performance to energy output range.”"
Andrew Robertson
Scotland’s greatest ever captain has had a poor season on the pitch by his high standards. But despite the indifferent displays with the ball there is one thing that he still has in abundance, energy. No matter how bad he may be playing he never shies away from hard work and I am sure that will pay off at the very first beep of pre season.
There is no doubt that it’s a special time of year for us reds, so you have any other names that you feel deserve a mention please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and tell us why you think your choice will finish this summer as a true LFC legend.