Liverpool: The vacancy had not been advertised for nearly two decades, but when Dr Zafar Iqbal learned that Liverpool were in search of a team doctor, he didn’t hesitate in applying for the post. At the time, Iqbal was the team doctor for Tottenham Hotspur, but the opportunity to work for the club he followed as a boy, was one that would not let slip.

Fast forward a couple of years to 2012, and even after promotion to the Reds’ head of medicine, Iqbal remains the same humble, conscientious but very dedicated professional, who firstly Kenny Dalglish, and now current manager Brendan Rodgers, have come to rely on. Iqbal himself still can’t quite fathom his meteoric rise.

“At the start of the 2012/13 season, I was asked to take up the position of the head of medicine. I didn’t hesitate in accepting it, as it’s a massive role, and one I never envisaged being in contention for when I started out in Sports Exercise Medicine, (SEM),” he exclusively told Gulf News.

After experiencing a lack of specialist support having suffered a knee injury of his own, Iqbal began to set up musculoskeletal and sports injury clinics, paving the way for his work in the English Premier League.

“I worked voluntarily at amateur and semi-professional sports clubs, progressing by working at Leyton Orient FC, England Youth teams and Tottenham Hotspur. I’ve never stopped learning and my aim is simply to be the best sports exercise medicine (SEM) doctor that I can.” The mission statement from Iqbal and his enthusiastic team is ambitious and unambiguous: To set up the best SEM department in football with the aim of helping Liverpool get back to the top.

On any given EPL match day, you’ll see him sitting along from Rodgers and the Liverpool coaching staff. Peering through his distinctive spectacles, Iqbal is a picture of focus and concentration. But he accepts that rather than enjoying the action unfold in front of him, he has more than a concerned eye on the medical challenges that may arise.

He said: ”Injuries are inevitable in a contact sport such as football, and so you have to use all means possible to help with quick diagnosis and subsequent management of any problems. The lead-up to games can be difficult when deciding whether a player is fit to play. If they are carrying a small injury, I have to do risk assessments on the relevant players and inform the manager.”

The value of his work has been such that on returning from a lengthy lay-off, Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard publicly expressed his appreciation for Iqbal’s efforts. That was praise indeed, admits the 38-year-old doctor.

“In any line of work, it is always nice to be recognised for the work that you do, and I’ve had a few players who have been grateful for any help that I’ve given. However, to have been appreciated by Steven Gerrard openly in his book and interviews was overwhelming and just encourages me to work even harder.

“Steven is respected by all that work with him at the club due to his professionalism and work ethic, which is why praise from him was even more inspiring for me personally. Working in SEM in football, I’ve always said that you get more recognition for any mistakes that you make than for the good work that you do, so you have to keep working to improve.”

Being associated with Liverpool was always going to raise Iqbal’s personal profile, a side to his position which he reluctantly accepts. However, fans’ requests for autographs and photographs are politely turned down, and getting recognised on the club’s pre-season tours abroad wasn’t something he envisaged either.

He said: “It never ceases to amaze me the extent of the fan base of Liverpool wherever we travel around the world. Certainly there is more attention to myself when travelling with Liverpool than I had at any of my previous clubs.”

Five times champions of Europe and 18 times English champions, Liverpool’s global reach is unquestionable, and through their shirt sponsors Standard Chartered Bank the club have set up coaching schools in India with a view to developing Asian talent. Being a high-profile Asian ambassador for the Reds, Iqbal may inspire on-field talent to progress, and that is something that would please Liverpool and the EPL no doubt.

Iqbal’s parents emigrated to the UK from Pakistan and settled in Rochdale, Lancashire. The country of his birth, however, remains in his thoughts, and evident even more so when he ventured out to offer his medical assistance after the devastating earthquake struck Pakistan in 2005, with a follow-up visit two years later.

Ask for his thoughts on his other passion, the health of the UK’s south Asian communities, and Iqbal accepts that the message is not getting through. He urges Asian communities everywhere to adopt a healthy and balanced diet if good health is to be maintained.

“I appreciate I’m in fortunate position, and being of Pakistani origin I’ve always felt the need to give something back to the community. There are huge health problems in the South Asian community associated with a lack of physical activity and subsequent obesity, type II diabetes, and heart disease.

“For a number of years I’ve tried to raise awareness by lectures, articles in magazines and the occasional media interview. Along with the Zesh Rehman Foundation and Liverpool FC, we are trying to use footballers to also help push the physical activity message, especially among school kids in a programme called ‘Get up and Get Moving’. The aim is to eventually roll this out to every school in UK. “

The demands on his time mean that he splits his week between Merseyside and his family home in London. When Iqbal finally got to have a well-earned vacation, however, there appeared to be only one destination of choice.

“I travelled to Dubai for the first time in June with my family for our first family holiday in eight years and we had a fantastic time. Several of my friends from England have moved to Dubai and I was able to catch up with a few of them. I’m really looking forward to returning and for a longer stay so that hopefully I can explore more of UAE,” he smiles.

Tirelessly pursuing excellence in his field, Iqbal recognises the changing face of football. “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” is a favourite saying. His efforts at Liverpool have not gone unnoticed, and will undoubtedly inspire many generations to come.”