Liverpool star Andy Robertson voices burnout concerns after strike threat
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has given his thoughts on football's expanding schedule after Manchester City star Rodri warned that players could go on strike
by Neil Moxley · The MirrorAndy Robertson has added to the clamour of concern about player burnout, saying: “Players must be consulted - not people in offices.”
Liverpool’s left-back is backing the growing number of top-flight stars worried about the physical and mental demands placed upon players. This season, Liverpool keeper Alisson, Manchester City star Rodri, Aston Villa skipper John McGinn and Spurs’ striker Son Heung-min have voiced their worries about the additional workload.
An extended Champions League and Club World Cup have only heaped more pressure upon a crowded calendar. And the issue is receiving across-the-board backing from those asked to play.
Robertson said: “I don’t think the players are ever asked. I think that’s where our frustrations lie. We all love playing football. We love playing games. That’s what we work so hard towards.
“As I speak, we’ve got a game in a few days at Anfield in the Champions League. It’s one of the best games to be involved in. But extra games get added. Extra tournaments get added and I don’t think players get asked what their opinion of it is and how we feel about it.
“That’s where the frustration lies with us. These organisations just put on extra games and tournaments - and we’re never asked. It’s frustrating. 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. When lads are getting overworked or whatever, sometimes you can’t do that.
“We’ll keep doing it. We’ve got no real option. We’ll let other people discuss it. We’ll let other people try to help us out but, like I say, 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.”
Asked if a working group would offer a practical solution to the additional formats being demanded by Uefa and Fifa he added: “There are a lot of experienced professionals out there - captains who can have a say on these things.
“They are never asked. Just ask players or managers, it’s always wise to ask the people who can feel it, week-to-week instead of people sitting in offices.”
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