Liverpool’s Alisson criticises the new format of the UEFA Champions League: Everyone is tired

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has called on football’s governing bodies to consult with players about their welfare as the team prepares for the new, expanded Champions League format. The tournament has been expanded to 36 teams and two additional group matches have been added. This change means the group stage will now run until the end of January rather than ending in mid-December.

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has often expressed concerns about the increasingly busy football calendar, and now Alisson has spoken out, saying that players are “exhausted” by the growing demands of the schedule.

Read also: The new format of the Champions League explained

“It’s incredible for the fans. More games, more bigger games, big teams against each other,” he said before the duel against AC Milan at the San Siro.

“It’s good for us players too to play against the best in Europe – and it’s always a good idea to add a few games to the calendar, even if it’s not that full… I’m being a bit ironic. Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games, so maybe our opinion doesn’t matter.”

“But everyone knows what we think about having more games. Everyone is fed up with it. But we have to put these things aside and focus on the big challenge we have here,” said Alisson.

When asked how many games would be ideal, Alisson said those who make the calendar should sit down and listen to the players, especially after some have criticised the current schedule.

“It’s not just a question I should answer. Whether the number is 30 or 40. It’s about everyone sitting down and listening to all sides, because we understand that we have the media and television, the UEFA and FIFA side, the Premier League, domestic competitions.”

“We’re not stupid, we understand that people want more games, but it would be sensible for all the people I mentioned – those who make the calendar – to sit together and listen to all the parts, including the players. I think a lot of players have already spoken about it. We just need to be listened to. That’s what we want to do, sit together and understand what the thoughts are about the direction football wants to go – not just add games, add competitions, add this and that.”

“We want to do our best for football. When you are tired, you cannot compete at a high level. I want to do my best in all the games I play, but we need a solution. It does not look like we are close to a good solution in the interest of football and the players.”

Liverpool starts its Champions League season on September 17th at the San Siro against AC Milan.