Klopp turning to science in Reds’ pursuit of Quadruple

LIVERPOOL will turn to a brains trust of neuroscientists in their quest for four trophies this season, with German firm Neuro11 helping the squad before their Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next month. The Reds used the scientists in 2022 during their quest for the Quadruple — they won two cups, missed out on the Premier League title by a point and lost the Champions League final — to help measure brain activity and create tailored plans for each player. It is all in the hope of finding a marginal gain that could help players be more ‘in the zone’ in pressure moments. Players wear electrodes on their heads during training, which measure the activity of the brain and can find ways to reach a peak mental state. ‘Knowing ourselves in more detail makes it possible to optimise our mental processes and develop the best and most stable routine,’ said Dr Niklas Hausler, a co-founder, in 2022. Neuro11 worked with the squad before the Carabao Cup semifinal win over Fulham and are poised to come in again ahead of the final on February 25. The firm has also found success in high concentration sports such as golf, darts and archery. It is another innovative idea from manager Jurgen Klopp. In 2018, he hired specialist throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark and in a summer camp invited triathlete Jan Frodeno, who has won Olympic golds and Ironman titles, to talk to players about mental resilience, and the former Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Kevin Roberts did a session on empowering players’ voices. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai returns to training today after a hamstring injury and is in line to be in the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Norwich. Trent Alexander-Arnold is hoping to join him after a knee injury and Andy Robertson is also nearing full fitness.