Fuelling Success: A Conversation on Nutrition with Clare Farrell

Gabriela Schmidt
2025-10-15T14:48:49+01:00

Key Takeaways:

1. Fuel timing matters: Focus on high-quality carbs and protein before and after training to maximise adaptation and recovery.

2. Whey protein is key post-exercise: Fast-absorbing and rich in essential amino acids to trigger muscle repair.

3. Back-to-back games need tailored strategies: Consider slow-release protein and recovery blends for overnight repair.

4. Hydration and inflammation support are non-negotiable: Especially with high-intensity training and contact.

5. Energy balance underpins performance: Under-fuelling undermines both recovery and long-term adaptation.

Crionna Tobin (Head of Nutrition, Optimum Nutrition): Clare, it’s always a pleasure to talk shop with you. Liverpool’s schedule is relentless—one to two games a week, plus intense training. How do you manage nutrition to keep the players energised and performing at their best?

Clare Farrell (Lead Performance Nutritionist): Great to chat, Crionna. Yes, the fixture congestion is real, and the demands are high—physically and mentally. For us, it’s all about nailing the basics: timing, quality, and individualisation. We focus on fuelling before sessions with high-quality carbs and protein, then prioritise rapid recovery straight after, especially on match days or double-load days.

Crionna: I couldn’t agree more. It’s that strategic use of nutrition that makes the difference. What’s your approach to supporting adaptations from training while also managing the recovery window?

Clare: That balance is key. We want to support muscle repair and glycogen restoration quickly post-training, especially in short turnarounds. But we also think long-term—ensuring players are consistently hitting their energy needs and not falling into a cycle of under-fuelling. I like to include liquid calories such as post-training smoothies or clear whey ‘juice’ type shakes to provide fast-digesting whey protein and simple carbs. They’re convenient, effective, and easily digestible—perfect when appetite is low.

Crionna: Yes! And that’s where good quality whey, like Gold Standard Whey, is so valuable. It’s fast-absorbing and supports muscle protein synthesis immediately post-exercise. Are you doing anything different with night games or back-to-back fixtures?

Clare: Definitely. Night games can disrupt both appetite and sleep, so we often use recovery blends that combine slow-release protein like casein with ingredients that support overnight repair. We’re also big on hydration and anti-inflammatory support—so things like tart cherry and omega-3s feature regularly, especially with the contact load.

Crionna: That’s smart. We often forget that recovery isn’t just physical—it’s neurological and hormonal too. With that in mind, how do you approach energy balance throughout the week?

Clare: We work closely with chefs and players to educate them around energy availability. It’s not just about fuelling games—it’s fuelling every session to adapt and improve. Recovery nutrition supports performance tomorrow, not just today. That’s the message we drive home.

Crionna: I love that message. It’s not just “recover to play,” it’s “recover to improve.” Especially with high-performing teams like Liverpool, those small gains matter. Thanks for sharing your insights, Clare—there’s a lot people can learn from how the pros do it.

Clare: Always a pleasure, Crionna. It’s about getting the basics right, consistently, and tailoring the details to the individual. That’s what unlocks potential.

Meet the Experts Behind This Conversation

Clare Farrell

Leading Irish Health & Performance Nutritionist. With experience across elite football, rugby, and triathlon, she specializes in fueling, recovery, and individualized nutrition strategies to optimize athlete performance.

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Dr. Crionna Tobin, PhD

Provides guidance on sports and active nutrition to athletes, internal teams, and brand partners in her role as Head of Science and Education at Optimum Nutrition. Her deep expertise is backed by a PhD in performance nutrition and exercise physiology from Dublin City University.