Rodri ACL injury proves Liverpool's Alisson right | OneFootball

With more and more games being added to the footballing calendar every season, player welfare concerns were only going to increase.

And after speaking out about the possibility of a strike in future, Manchester City's Rodri faces the prospect of spending the rest of this year's campaign on the sidelines.

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Earlier last week, Alisson Becker spoke out to the media in the Reds' Champions League press conference about how he feels UEFA and the sport's governing bodies fail to sufficiently consider the players in negotiations over new competitions.

Days later, Rodri followed suit alongside teammate Manuel Akanji and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, with claims that the players may consider going on strike in protest of the number of games the senior European men's teams are playing.

The problem stems from the new Champions League format where the traditional group stage has been replaced with a 'league phase' where each team plays eight games instead of two, with the potential of playing 2 further playoff games before making it to the last 16.

Alongside this, FIFA decided this summer that they would be expanding the Club World Cup and hosting it in the Summer, in the break between the World Cup and the European Championships/Copa America, while national teams also straddle the finals of the Nations League.

Earlier this month, FIFPRO published a damaging report into the likely workload of players this season, but nothing has come from it so far.

Alisson and Rodri's main concerns

Speaking to the media, Alisson said: "Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games. Maybe our opinion doesn't matter.

We understand that people want more games, but the reasonable thing would be for all these sides that I mention [UEFA, FIFA, Premier League and other domestic competitions] and the people who are responsible for making the calendar to sit together and to listen to all the parts, including the players.

"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."

Subsequently, Alisson is out injured with a muscle strain and the club's goalkeeping depth is already being tested, with Caoimhin Kelleher stepping in - having already featured for the Republic of Ireland this season in the September international break.

Manchester City's European Championship winner Rodri, who is potentially the most likely recipient of the Ballon D'Or this year, also came out with concerns.

Premier League File Photos File photo dated 31-03-2024 of Manchester City s Rodri. City s midfield maestro Rodri has continued his long unbeaten Premier League run through this season - which could reach 50 games on the final day. Issue date: Friday May 17, 2024. FILE PHOTO EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publica... PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xMartinxRickettx 76201724

He said: "If it keeps [going] this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option [but to strike], but let's see. It’s something that worries us because we are the ones who suffer."

Having been rested across some of the early games this season, to aid his recovery from a busy summer with Spain, Rodri has only played in three Manchester City games but now finds himself with an ACL tear which could keep him out all season.

While the debate is likely to roll on across the upcoming months, with little meaningful change likely to come from players voicing their concerns, the likelihood of more incredibly damaging injuries will only increase.

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