MILAN, SEPT 17 – Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson said yesterday that players were being overlooked because more games were played throughout the season, ahead of the start of the extended Champions League this week.
Liverpool head to AC Milan today in a revamped fixture, which includes an eight-match league phase and possibly play-offs two legs before the last 16 round.
Earlier this month, global football players’ union FIFPro called for protections to be introduced for players already facing an excessive workload amid an ever-expanding calendar.
“Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson told reporters.
“Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everyone already knows what we think about more games. Everyone is tired of that.”
Liverpool are expected to play more than 60 games this season after playing 58 last season.
“We understand we have media and TV, we have UEFA, FIFA, the Premier League and other domestic competitions,” said Alisson from Brazil.
“We are not stupid. We understand that people want more matches, but the reasonable thing is for all the parties I mentioned and the people responsible for making the calendar to sit together and listen to all parts including the players,” he added.
Alisson played more than 40 times last season for club and country.
“If you are tired, you cannot compete at a high level. All I want is to give my best in all the matches I play,” said Alisson.
“At the moment, a solution for the sake of football and for the sake of the players is not yet visible,” he added.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot said he can only evaluate the new format of the Champions League at the end of the season.
“The only thing I like is the same as someone who likes to watch football, which is that every night there is an interesting match,” he said.
“But what about the two extra games for the players? That’s something we need to know but I don’t think anyone has an answer at the moment,” he added. – AFP
