Players snubbed in loaded football season, says Liverpool custodian Alisson Becker

MILAN – Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker said on Sept 16 that players’ welfare is being disregarded as more matches are played during the season, while Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested that players are close to striking.

Liverpool headed to AC Milan on Sept 17 in the expanded Champions League, which includes an eight-game league phase and a possible two-legged play-off before the last 16. That match at the San Siro took place after press time.

“Sometimes, nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson said.

“Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”

Liverpool could play more than 60 matches this season, having played 58 last term.

“We understand we have the side of the media and TV, we have the side from Uefa, from Fifa, from the English Premier League and other domestic competitions,” Alisson said.

“We are not stupid. We understand that people want more games, but the reasonable thing would be for all these sides that I mention and the people who are responsible for making the calendar to sit together and to listen to all the parts, including the players.”

A day after Alisson’s comments, Rodri chimed in, warning ahead of City’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan on Sept 18.

“We’re close to that (striking). It’s the general opinion of the players and, if it keeps this way, we’ll have no other option. It’s something that worries us. We are the guys who suffer,” he said.

The optimal number of games “in which a player can perform at the highest level”, the Spaniard said, is between 40 and 50.

“After that, you drop because it’s impossible to sustain the physical level. This year, we’re going to go until 70, maybe 80 (games), depends on how far you go in competitions,” he added.

“I think it’s too much. We have to take care of ourselves, because we are the main characters of this sport or business. Not everything is money or marketing, it is also the quality of the show. When I rest, when I’m not tired, I perform better. And if people want to see better football, we need to rest.”

Brazil international Alisson played more than 40 times last season for club and country, despite having two injury layoffs.

“If you are tired, you cannot compete at a high level. What I want is to give my best in all the games I play. At the moment, it doesn’t look like we are close to a solution for football’s sake and for the players’ sake,” Alisson said.

City defender Manuel Akanji, 29, half-joked recently that he may have to retire at 30 because of the gruelling schedule.

“It’s so tough. You don’t just think about this season – but also next season. Let’s say we win the league or cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup; the Community Shield is three weeks after. So when do we have holidays?” the Swiss player said.

Earlier in September, global footballers’ union Fifpro called for safeguards to be introduced for players who already face excessive workloads amid a constantly growing calendar.

Fifpro said the sport’s governing bodies were “failing to meet their duty of care” towards players by denying them sufficient rest and imposing extra games. It said that too many players were already playing too many games, but the possibilities for time off appear to only be decreasing.

“We need safeguards for players to limit their travel, ensure rest periods and provide adequate recovery so they can reach peak performance,” said Stephane Burchkalter, Fifpro’s acting general secretary.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot said he could judge the new Champions League format only at the end of the season.

“The only thing I like about it, just as someone who loves to see football, is that on every night there is a nice fixture,” he said.

“But how is it going to be with two extra games for the players? That’s something we have to find out, but I don’t think anyone has the answer at the moment.”

Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, who has won a record five Champions League titles as coach, said earlier in September: “Sometimes something new can be good for the competition and for everyone, but what we struggle to understand is the increase in the number of matches.” AFP, REUTERS