Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has expressed concerns about the growing fixture congestion in football, highlighting the lack of player involvement in scheduling decisions.
“Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson pointed out. “Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”
The new Champions League format, which now includes an eight-game league phase and a potential two-legged play-off before the last 16, further intensifies the issue. Last season, Liverpool played 58 matches across all competitions. Should they reach the final of every competition this campaign, they could potentially play 65 games (excluding a Champions League play-off round).
Alisson’s comments echo sentiments expressed by other players and managers. Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji recently joked about retiring at 30 due to the demanding schedule, while former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has long been a vocal critic of fixture congestion.
Alisson believes a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders, including players, is essential to find a solution. He emphasized that player fatigue can negatively impact performance and the quality of the game, stating: “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.”
While Liverpool manager Arne Slot appreciates the increased number of high-profile matches for fans under the new Champions League format, he acknowledged the concerns about player workload. He stated that the true impact of the changes will only be clear at the end of the season.
Alisson concluded with a plea for players’ concerns to be taken seriously: “So many players have spoken already about it, we just need to be listened to. At the moment, it doesn’t look like we are close to a solution for football’s sake and for the players’ sake.”
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