Gary O’Driscoll has joined Liverpool as their new head of medical services, according to James McNicholas in The Athletic. He has left his post as head of sports medicine at Arsenal and is due to take over from Andrew Massey at Liverpool. Andrew Massey is due to leave the Reds to perform a similar role for FIFA.
Gary O’Driscoll to Join Liverpool
A New Head of Medical Services
Gary O’Driscoll has been at Arsenal for a long period. He has been a part of the backroom staff since 2009 and stayed with the club following Arsene Wenger’s resignation. It is thought that O’Driscoll was well respected at Arsenal and that leaving for Liverpool was not an easy decision.
In particular, current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was close to O’Driscoll during his playing days. The Spaniard hoped that this relationship would persuade O’Driscoll to stay on, though he ultimately decided to resign from Arsenal.
This means that he will join up with the rest of Klopp’s backroom staff. He will join a team which already consists of Peter Krawietz, Pep Ljinders and John Achterberg. Whilst Andrew Massey’s departure to FIFA will represent a blow for Jurgen Klopp, O’Driscoll’s appointment should considerably soften the impact. He is the most recent addition to the Liverpool backroom staff after the appointment of Vitor Matos.
Gary O’Driscoll’s Experience
When he comes to Anfield, Gary O’Driscoll will bring with him a wealth of experience. He worked with the first team, U21s and academy at Arsenal. He is also a qualified doctor and spent six years with the Ireland Rugby Union Team.
It will be hoped that O’Driscoll’s experience will be of benefit to Liverpool, with a number of players seemingly injury-prone. For example, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren miss multiple games as a result of little niggles and a change in the medical staff may help with that.
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