Ibrahima Konate agrees with Andy Robertson 'frustration' as soccer stars could take drastic action

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has become the latest soccer player to speak out about the relentless fixture schedule that comes with the modern game while away with his country, France, for the second international break this season.

Konate, who has played in nine out of the 10 fixtures that Arne Slot has overseen so far in the 2024/25 campaign, has agreed with compatriots including Andy Robertson and Rodri that the number of games is too much. It comes amid the Champions League having been expanded and FIFA putting together a 32-team Club World Cup which will debut in 2025.

"It’s a subject that should not be neglected," Konate said today, via RMC Sport , when asked about fatigue and players being asked to perform too often. "There is no discussion at Liverpool ; there is no pressure from the club. We hear that some clubs prefer their players to stay [back from international duty] but we also have to understand them; there are so many matches.

"The players are employees of the club even if the national selections are just as important. We have to stay fit all season and it’s hard but it’s beyond [our control].

"If it continues with this momentum, of course if the players decide to bang their fists on the table and we are all together. If tomorrow there is a movement which can lead to an understanding, well sure, I will be of the game. And I think all the players will follow."

Fellow Reds defender Robertson spoke to reporters including from Liverpool.com earlier this season and expressed similar sentiments. "I don’t think the players are ever asked," Robertson said. "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 four days’ time 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 just 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."

Rodri said something similar before being struck down with an ACL injury while Alisson Becker was also asked about it during a Champions League press conference. "It’s a matter to sit down all together and listen to all the parties," Alisson said.

"Because we understand we have the media side, from TV; we have the side of UEFA, FIFA, the Premier League , the domestic competitions. We are not stupid. We understand that and we understand people want games; people want more games.

"But the reasonable thing would be that all the sides I mention and all the people who are responsible for making and organizing the calendar to sit together and listen to all the parties, 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 to understand what the thinking is of the direction that football wants to go."

Liverpool.com says: Players will always have the criticism thrown at them that they are paid a lot and therefore should play as often as they are asked. In truth, though, that is counterproductive. They can only perform at their best if they have enough time to rest and recover, given how intense the Premier League is these days. Too many games will simply dilute the quality.