The Premier League title race is often decided by fine margins, and this season, the battle between Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool has been profoundly influenced by an often-overlooked factor: the treatment room. While talent and tactics dominate headlines, a club’s ability to manage absentees can be the ultimate difference between lifting the trophy and falling short. As the season enters its nail-biting finale, we analyze which of the contenders has been hit hardest by the injury bug and how it might ultimately shape the destination of the title.
The Anfield Injury Crisis: Liverpool’s Uphill Battle
Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Liverpool has been a rollercoaster, marred by an unprecedented wave of injuries that has severely tested the squad’s depth. The latest blow came with young star Conor Bradley, who is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks with an ankle injury sustained in the damaging defeat to Crystal Palace.
The data from Baji and other tracking sources paints a stark picture. Liverpool have lost a staggering 1,252 days to injuries this campaign—a figure that dwarfs the totals of their rivals. This isn’t just about a few key players missing a handful of games. The Reds have suffered 32 separate injuries resulting in a player missing one or more league games, placing them among the most afflicted teams in the division.
The list of absentees reads like a who’s who of Liverpool’s core: Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominic Szoboszlai have all endured significant spells on the sidelines. The season-ending injuries to the experienced Joel Matip and the perpetually unlucky Thiago Alcantara, who has barely featured, have only compounded the issues. As one Baji analyst noted, “No team can seamlessly replace that concentration of quality and experience. It’s a testament to Klopp and the squad that they’ve remained in the hunt for so long.”
Arsenal’s Setbacks: A Test of Mikel Arteta’s Depth
For Arsenal, the injury story has been less about volume and more about critical, long-term absences at key moments. The major blow came on the very first weekend of the season when marquee defensive signing Jurrien Timber limped off with an ACL injury, ruling him out for virtually the entire campaign.
This long-term issue has been supplemented by recurring problems for other vital cogs in Arteta’s machine. Thomas Partey’s season has been stop-start due to fitness concerns, while Fabio Vieira, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Jesus have all missed chunks of the season, disrupting rhythm and consistency.
A new scare emerged during the loss to Aston Villa when captain Martin Odegaard was forced off late on, causing major anxiety ahead of their Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich. While the Norwegian has since returned to training, his brief absence highlighted the Gunners’ reliance on his creative genius. The collective 882 days lost to injury, while less than Liverpool’s, have come at inopportune times, potentially hindering their ability to maintain a relentless title pace.
Martin Odegaard’s fitness is paramount to Arsenal’s creative output, and any absence is a major cause for concern.
Manchester City’s Fitness Fortress: A Key Advantage?
In stark contrast to their rivals, Manchester City’s path has been relatively clear of major fitness woes. With only 654 days lost to injury, Pep Guardiola’s side has been one of the least affected teams in the entire league, bettering only West Ham, Wolves, and Fulham in this metric.
Their injury list has been short and manageable. Only John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland have missed four or more consecutive league matches. Crucially, the squad’s incredible depth and quality have allowed them to absorb these absences without a significant drop in performance. De Bruyne’s long layoff at the start of the season was navigated seamlessly, and Haaland’s recent absence saw Julian Alvarez step up effectively.
This robustness is a hallmark of champions. As a fitness expert quoted on Baji explained, “City’s medical and sports science department is world-class. Their ability to manage player load and minimize soft-tissue injuries provides a tangible competitive advantage, especially in the demanding final months of a season.”
The Final Sprint: Who Holds the Fitness Advantage?
As the Premier League race enters its final laps, the fitness of each squad could be the decisive factor. Liverpool, despite getting several key players back, must navigate the run-in without Bradley and others, potentially stretching their resources. Arsenal will hope Odegaard remains fit and that their key players can avoid any further knocks.
Manchester City, with their clean bill of health and a squad built for rotation, appears to hold a significant advantage. Their schedule, though busy, can be managed with their deep roster, allowing them to maintain intensity in every competition.
Injury Impact: How Fitness Crises Have Shaped the Premier League Title Race
The evidence is clear: injuries have been the silent protagonist in this season’s title drama. Liverpool’s heroic efforts to stay competitive amidst a constant injury crisis deserve immense credit. Arsenal have managed their issues well but have felt the absence of key players at critical times. Manchester City, however, have once again demonstrated that their strength isn’t just in their starting XI but in their remarkable ability to keep players fit and ready for the challenge. As the finish line approaches, this resilience may well prove to be the ultimate title-winning asset.
Who do you think has been most affected by injuries? Has your team’s season been derailed by fitness issues? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
