Learning from Liverpool FC Nutrition
How the Premier League's best team built a food program that's "one of Klopp's most important signings"
The Story
When Jürgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool in 2015, he had a problem.
His "gegenpressing" style—the intense, high-tempo football that would later win the Champions League and Premier League—demanded extreme physical conditioning. But the club's nutrition setup was... adequate. Not elite.
Klopp's solution: hire Mona Nemmer from Bayern Munich.
Her mandate wasn't just to improve the menu. It was to make nutrition a pillar of performance equal to strength and conditioning or tactical analysis.
The result? Liverpool's transformation from "nearly men" to European champions. And Klopp's assessment of Nemmer: "One of my most important signings."
Who Is Behind Liverpool's Nutrition?
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Mona Nemmer | Head of Nutrition (2016-present); formerly at Bayern Munich with Pep Guardiola |
| Jürgen Klopp | Manager who prioritized nutrition as a strategic advantage |
Nemmer isn't just a dietitian. She helped design the AXA Training Centre's entire food operation—from kitchen layout to behavioral nudges.
What ISP Students Learn
Lesson 1: Food Democracy Beats Food Police
Traditional sports nutrition: "Here's a list of what you CAN'T eat."
Nemmer's approach: "Here's why certain foods help you perform better."
She refuses to use the word "forbidden." Instead, she teaches players product knowledge—why a slow-release carbohydrate helps recovery more than refined sugar.
"If players understand the VALUE of ingredients, they'll make the right choice without being told."
Her philosophy: Make the healthy option the most delicious and convenient option. Then players choose it naturally.
What this means for young athletes: Understanding WHY you eat certain foods is more powerful than following rules you don't understand.
Lesson 2: Four Meals at the Training Ground
One of Nemmer's few strict rules: players eat four meals per day at the facility.
This isn't about control—it's about consistency. By eating most meals where she can influence quality, the nutrition team guarantees:
- 80-90% of the players' weekly calories are optimized
- Timing matches training demands
- Recovery meals happen at the right moments
The hidden benefit: Communal dining builds team chemistry. Klopp wants his squad to be a "family," and shared meals are the hearth.
What this means for young athletes: Where you eat matters almost as much as what you eat. Eating with teammates builds bonds AND ensures better food choices.
Lesson 3: The Traffic Light System
Liverpool's canteen uses visual cues to guide choices:
| Color | What It Means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Always good—form the base of your plate | Vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbs |
| Amber | Good in moderation | Higher-fat options, calorie-dense foods |
| Red | Specific contexts only | High-sugar items (post-match glycogen replenishment) |
This "nudge" system makes good choices easy without requiring constant consultation with a nutritionist.
What this means for young athletes: Visual systems help. When good food is positioned well and labeled clearly, you make better choices automatically.
Lesson 4: The Kitchen Is Open
At the AXA Training Centre, the kitchen is visible from the dining area.
Players can see their food being prepared. They smell it cooking. Chefs are accessible, not hidden.
Why this matters:
- Transparency builds trust
- Seeing food prepared reinforces freshness
- The smell of cooking stimulates digestion before the first bite
The environment is designed to make eating a pleasure, not a chore.
What this means for young athletes: Food environments shape behavior. A well-designed eating space makes good nutrition easier.
Key Takeaways
| Lesson | One-Liner |
|---|---|
| Educate, don't police | Understanding beats restriction |
| Centralize meals | Control quality by eating at the facility |
| Use visual systems | Traffic lights make choices easy |
| Design the environment | Open kitchens build trust and appetite |
How This Shows Up at ISP
Liverpool's operational excellence shapes how ISP thinks about nutrition culture:
- We emphasize understanding over rules
- Food education includes "why," not just "what"
- We teach that environment affects choices
- Communal eating is valued for team building AND nutrition
When ISP students learn about nutrition, they learn that it's not just food—it's culture, environment, and trust.
The Bigger Picture
Liverpool's nutrition isn't just about macros and calories. It's about creating a system where good choices are:
- Easy (convenient, visible, accessible)
- Delicious (flavorsome, not "diet food")
- Social (shared, bonding, communal)
That's the difference between a meal plan and a nutrition culture.
Learn More
"You can't just miss it too often. Nutrition has to be flavorsome. It's got to be tasty."