Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson expressed concerns about the growing number of matches in football, highlighting that players’ opinions are often overlooked as the fixture schedule expands. Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s opening match in the revamped Champions League, where they face AC Milan on Tuesday, Alisson voiced frustration over the increasing workload.
The extended Champions League format now includes an eight-game league phase and potentially a two-legged play-off before reaching the round of 16. This comes amid calls from FIFPro, the global footballers’ union, for better safeguards to protect players who are facing ever-increasing demands on their time.
“Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson told reporters. “Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”
With Liverpool potentially facing over 60 matches this season, up from 58 last year, Alisson stressed the need for balance. “We understand we have the side of the media and TV, UEFA, FIFA, the Premier League, and other domestic competitions,” he said. “We are not stupid. We understand that people want more games, but the reasonable thing would be for all these sides and the people responsible for making the calendar to sit together and listen to all the parts, including the players.”
Having played more than 40 matches last season for both club and country, Alisson emphasized that excessive fatigue compromises performance. “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,” he added.