Alisson: Uefa and Fifa must listen to tired stars over workload concerns

Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker says players are tired of being ignored by football’s governing bodies as he claimed Uefa’s new Champions League format will increase the already strenuous workload.

Alisson said Liverpool’s year of exile from the elite European competition was painful, but he hit out at the administrators and broadcasters for their failure to consult the stars of the show.

“It is a matter to sit down all together and listen to all the parts because we understand we have the media and TV, the side of Uefa and Fifa, Premier League, domestic competitions. We are not stupid and understand that. We understand that people want more games,” said Alisson.

“But the reasonable thing would be, all the people I mentioned – those who make the calendar, organising the calendar – to sit together and listen to all the parts inclusive of the players. I think so many players have spoken already about that. We just need to be listened to. That’s what we would like to do, to sit together and understand what is the thinking of the directions that football wants to go. Not only adding games, adding competitions, adding this and that. What we want is to give our best for football, if you are tired you cannot compete at a high level.

“I want to give 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 for football’s sake and players’ sake.”

Alisson acknowledged the increased number of stellar games - including Liverpool’s trip to face AC Milan in a repeat of the 2005 and 2007 finals - added to the spectacle.

“For the supporters, it is amazing. More games, more bigger games, big teams against each other,” said Alisson. “For us players as well, it is good that you are going to play against the best in Europe and it is always a good idea to add some games to the calendar that is not busy - I  am being ironic a little bit.

“But again we are here to do our job. Sometimes, nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games so maybe our opinion does not matter. But everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody is tired of that. But we have to bring those kinds of things on side and stay focused on the big challenge we have here.”

Liverpool were relegated to the Europa League last season, beaten by Atalanta in the quarter-finals having been strong favourites to win the competition. Alisson feels the club is back where it belongs.

“Yes. Imagine something that you really like to do, and you stay without doing it for one year, how looking forward to it you would be to do it again. That’s the way we feel,” said Alisson.

“Playing the Champions League was one of the reasons that I came here to Europe from Brazil. Not being able to play last season was really hard. But here we are again after a really good season qualifying in a really difficult league. We are looking forward to it.

“If we have a chance, let’s see. A lot has changed from last year. We are going to do our best to try to win it.”