Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker says players are not being listened to about their concerns regarding the loaded calendar.
Alisson speaks on loaded calendar
The expanded Champions League includes an eight-game league phase and a potential two-legged play-off before reaching the last 16.
Last season, Liverpool played 58 matches across all competitions.
If the Reds advance to the final of every competition they participate in this campaign, they would play 65 matches.
This does not include potential FA Cup replays or Champions League play-off rounds.
Alisson, 31, said no one is listening to the players about adding games.
“Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson said ahead of Liverpool’s Champions’ League opener against AC Milan.
“Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”
Alisson wants the players’ voices heard
Several players have recently expressed their concerns over the jam-packed calendar.
Top international players competing in the Champions League and Club World Cup could play up to 85 games this season.
Read more:
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- De Bruyne on calendar: FIFA values money more than players
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Despite missing over two months due to injury, Alisson still played 42 matches for Liverpool and Brazil last season.
The Brazil international stated that players cannot perform at their best with such a congested fixture schedule.
“So many players have spoken already about it, we just need to be listened to,” he said.
“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.”
