Expert: Liverpool stars under ‘huge’ pressure as new £25m-a-year deal agreed
Liverpool players are under “huge” pressure with social media scrutiny – and the PFA and Premier League deserve credit for agreeing a new funding package to help them.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
PFA chairman Maheta Molango confirmed last Thursday (21 July) that a new partnership agreement has been struck with the Premier League.
The Athletic reported on the same day that the funding deal is worth £24.9million per season.
The money will go towards promoting player welfare, anti-discrimination initiatives and research into head injuries.
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, 32, has been one of the most prominent voices in recent years in football’s campaign against online abuse.
Dinnery insists that the £24.9m-a-year funding agreement is good news for the midfielder and his teammates.
“Players are now faced with a huge set of challenges,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“They are under the spotlight and scrutinised through social media 24 hours per day. There is a recognition now from the PFA and the Premier League that they need to move with the times.
“They have a duty of care. They need to work with players to teach them how to manage themselves on and off the pitch.
“With regard to head injuries, this subject matter isn’t going to go away. It is going to be part of a lot of conversations moving forward.
“Any funding or research that can go towards that can only be a good thing.”
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