Arne Slot isn’t shedding any tears over Liverpool not taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup in America this summer.
The Premier League champions will be able to put their feet up whilst Manchester City and Sunday’s opponents Chelsea represent England in the new competition that runs from June 14-July 13.
‘In this moment, eight out of ten people who work in this business – maybe even ten out of ten – will feel is it really necessary to have another tournament for these players that already had such a long season,’ said the Liverpool manager.
‘I don’t think it’s healthy for players to only have maybe one week off, then go into the tournament, then have one week off and start the whole Premier League season again. That can never be good for the health of a player.’
City manager Pep Guardiola has been among the most strident critics of an ever-increasing fixture list.
‘I think that is probably what most of us feel,’ said a supportive Slot.
Arne Slot isn’t shedding any tears over Liverpool not taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup
The new competition will take place in the United States and runs from June 14-July 13
Liverpool will be able to put their feet up whilst Man City and Chelsea represent England
‘Maybe when the tournament has been played or done well, we’ll all feel we would love to have been there because what a great occasion.
‘But now we have our opinion and I think most people in football have the same opinion, pfft, another tournament. We have to wait and see what it means for the long-term for these teams hardly having any days off.’
Slot has just spent his first week as a champion in England having clinched the title against Tottenham last weekend. Chelsea will form a guard of honour for them at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
‘Normal things like shopping for groceries still have to be done,’ said Slot. ‘But I go to the shop with a smile on my face!’
‘If I felt we couldn’t improve as a team, we would have a problem because I know for sure Manchester City and Arsenal will improve.
‘That improvement will also come by bringing in new players because that’s what they did for so many years.
‘We may have set the example (by not buying anyone last summer) but I don’t think that is going to happen!’
