Gini Wijnaldum has revealed the steps he is taking to ensure his availability - while highlighting how the condensed season is impacting on Liverpool's preparation for matches.
No player has featured in more games for the Reds this season than Wijnaldum, who has missed only the League Cup win at Lincoln City and remained on the bench for the Champions League dead rubber at FC Midtjylland.
The 30-year-old, out of contract in the summer, has started 20 of 22 Premier League games and has been a mainstay of an otherwise injury-hit midfield.
And Wijnaldum has detailed the lengths he has taken to keep himself fit while underlining the decreased training time between games for Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff.
"I'm feeling okay," said the Dutchman. "I've had to do a lot to stay fit because we've been playing so many games.
"We've played so many games in a condensed period so it's been really tough to stay in shape and stay fit but it's been going well so far.
"The medical team have helped me a lot and in training sometimes we are having shorter sessions or one day's more rest because we're playing so often, but on days off I've been trying to come into the training ground to get some treatment to make myself ready for the next game.
"It's been more difficult than the years before because in previous years we haven't had so many injuries in the midfield position or had to play so many games in such a short space of time.
"As we all know, the season has shrunk because of COVID and so the schedule has been demanding.
"Mentally it's also been a test but something that I think will help me during my career. I'm just trying to enjoy every game because I love to play."
Wijnaldum was replaced midway through the second half of Wednesday's disappointing 1-0 Premier League home defeat to Brighton.
Liverpool have dropped to fourth in the table and are seven points behind leaders Manchester City, who visit Anfield on Sunday.
And, speaking to the official Liverpool FC matchday programme, the Holland international has reiterated the Reds are concentrating only on arresting their recent indifferent form of just three wins in 10 games.
"If you think about defending the title, you are thinking way too far ahead," he said. "The best thing we can do is concentrate on the game we have to come instead of putting the pressure on ourselves that we have to defend the championship.
"Of course we want that and we will do everything possible to keep it that way, but the mindset is not really like: okay, we need to defend the title. It's more: okay, we need to improve our game."
