Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson adds to burnout concerns
Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson is the latest star to hit out at the increasingly demanding schedule, suggesting it would at least lessen frustrations if players were consulted.
This season has seen an expanded Champions League inflate the number of games required to reach the last 16 from six up to eight or even ten. A new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup will also be played for the first time next summer, with seven games needed to go all the way in the tournament, while there are still three domestic competitions for English clubs.
Liverpool won’t be competing in the Club World Cup but winning the Champions League over the next few years would see them take part in 2029.
Even so, the Reds could play up to 67 matches across four competitions in 2024/25. Then, international breaks over the course of the season could add a further ten games for players.
„I don’t think the players are ever asked, that’s where our frustrations lie,“ Robertson said this week as Liverpool prepare for Champions League matchday two against Bologna.
„We all love playing football. We love playing games. That’s what we work so hard towards, but extra games get added, extra tournaments get added and I just don’t think players get asked what their opinion of it is and how we feel about it.
„It doesn’t seem we have much of a say in it. We just get put out there. We always want to put on a show for the fans. We always want people to get value for money. We know how important fans are to football but when lads are getting overworked or whatever, sometimes you can’t do that.“
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been similarly critical of the physical demands on players in recent weeks, while Manchester City star Rodri spoke out about it shortly before a season-ending injury, threatening a strike is coming, as have La Liga defenders Jules Kounde and Dani Carvajal. Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti are among the coaches to express concerns.
But Robertson admitted that players have „no real option“ but to keep going with any match that is put in front of them. We’ll let other people discuss it and try to help us out.
„When you are in the changing room you don’t think about it. You get excited by it. You just go out and play your heart out and that’s all we can do. But, in the future, I think it would be best to get the players together and ask their opinion as well.
„There are a lot of experienced professionals, captains, who can have a say on these things. They are never asked. It’s always wise to ask the people who can feel it, week-to-week instead of people sitting in offices.“