Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has said football's governing bodies must start consulting players ahead of the new Champions League format which sees the introduction of an expanded league phase.
Each team will play a total of eight matches before the Champions League knockout stages – two more than in previous years – in what promises to be the longest season in history, with the new FIFA Club World Cup due to be played next summer.
“Sometimes no one asks the players what they think about the possibility of playing more games,” Alisson said. “Maybe our opinion doesn't matter, but everyone knows what we think about the possibility of playing more games. Everyone is tired of that.”
“A lot of players have already spoken about it, we just need them to listen to us,” he added. “If you are tired you cannot compete at a high level. What I want is to give my best in every game I play.”
“At the moment it doesn't seem like we're close to a solution for the good of football and the players.”
Liverpool's previous manager Jürgen Klopp was notoriously critical of football's increasingly congested calendar, however his successor at Anfield, Arne Slot, was less scathing.
“The only thing I like about this, as someone who loves watching football, is that every night there's a good game,” he said.
“But what will the situation be like with two more games for the players? That's something we have to find out, but I don't think anyone has the answer at the moment.”
Liverpool face AC Milan on Tuesday in their opening Champions League match.
