Andy Robertson has echoed goalkeeper Alisson’s concern over player welfare and burnout.
The Liverpool left-back believes players should pull together to discuss the issues following recent changes to the schedule. This season, the revamped Champions League could see players made to play an additional four games, while the new-look Club World Cup will affect others at the end of the season.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Bologna on Wednesday night, Robertson says: “I don’t think the players are ever asked, that’s where our frustrations lie.
“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.”
Robertson hobbled off late into the win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday night after receiving studs down the back of his ankle but claimed he was “all good” immediately after the game.
A new-look coaching and medical/performance team at Liverpool have placed a greater emphasis on recovery in an attempt to reduce the amount of injuries this season. “So far, so good,” Robertson says. “We don’t leave any stone unturned.”
The amount of games in a season for club and country is a growing concern, though, with Manchester City and Spain midfielder, Rodri, suggesting that players could take matters into their own hands and strike if the demands continue to increase.
Alisson said earlier in the month that “everybody is tired” of having to play more games.
Robertson adds: “We’ll keep doing it, we’ve got no real option. We’ll let other people discuss it and try to help us out.
“When games are put in front of us, 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.”
(Peter Byrne – Pool/Getty Images)
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