Klopp and Hendo are not wrong about player welfare, but no one else is listening... that’s the problem
JURGEN KLOPP and Jordan Henderson spoke up about player welfare this week.
The Liverpool boss and his skipper joined forces to hammer home a common message, raising the subject of burnout.
Klopp said he was happy to forfeit the advantage of playing at Anfield against Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to lessen the load.
While Henderson said: “I’m concerned no one takes player welfare seriously – I don’t feel players get the respect they deserve.”
Nothing new here. Moans about the festive fixture pileup are about as predictable as seeing Mary Poppins listed on the Christmas telly schedule. But this is different.
Covid has shoved everything out of kilter – there’s been little respite for the players since the restart last season.
But what are the game’s authorities doing about it?
The Premier League held a pre-christmas meeting to discuss the issues – but this goes far beyond their sphere of influence.
FIFA and UEFA have player welfare miles down their list of priorities. If it’s there at all.
Interestingly, FIFA chose this week to reposition their justification for holding a World Cup every two years.
When Arsene Wenger – now employed by FIFA – first announced those plans, they were shot down.
Now, opportunistically harnessing opposition to the Super League as rationale, president Gianni Infantino is at it again.
It’s all about money, of course. It always is.
Players and punters alike are now facing the prospect of a World Cup every two years, with qualification games, obviously – and the European Championship every four – and there will be a campaign to qualify for that, too.
There’s also the Nations League that UEFA have introduced for reasons that can be filed under “Make it up as you go along”.
For clubs such as Liverpool, there’s an extended Champions League format to contend with.
UEFA have also introduced a third tier of club competition, the Europa Conference League.
What’s going to give? You tell me. Nothing from where I’m standing.
The Premier League isn’t going to be cut down in size. No chance. The Football Association don’t want the FA Cup diluted further.
Same goes for the EFL and the Carabao Cup.
All the while, Henderson and his colleagues are being expected to play year-round football. The England international really does have a valid point.
Unfortunately, the players have opened themselves up to the riches these competitions generate.
By saying nothing, they’ve helped to propagate the situation they now find themselves in.
Player welfare? It’s just not on the agenda.
Unless players take matters into their own hands and go on strike or – heaven forbid – refuse to take the cash on offer, their situation isn’t going to improve.
Klopp and Henderson can groan as much as they like, but their voices are echoing around an empty chamber.