A Liverpool fan since moving
to the city from Northamptonshire in 1977, Dr Mark Waller heads up the club’s medical
department and is responsible for the medical care of the first team squad at Melwood.
This involves the prevention and treatment of injuries and any ongoing
rehabilitation for any injured player. He also has a major input into the dietary intakes
of the first team squad.
He travels with the team to all games, attends home reserve matches and is also
doctor for the England Under-21 international side.
Dr Waller is also an FA representative on the British Olympic Association Medical
Committee (BOA). They meet two to three times each year and discuss issues in sports
medicine which involves all types of sporting activity.
"We've had our fair share
of serious injuries over recent years but that's what we're here for," he says.
"Every day is busy and you never know what a new day is going to bring. I have a
meeting every day with the assistant manager to discuss the progress of the injured
players and all of the medical and coaching staff have a weekly meeting where we discuss
specific things from the previous week and plan ahead for the next.
"Medicine is evolving almost on a daily basis. "We always keep up to date
and try to keep ahead with what the new trends are. We try to do everything we can to keep
the players in the best shape possible.
"The commitment from all of the medical staff here is very high. We're always
in at least six days a week and sometimes we can go two or three weeks without a day
off."
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