A CLOSE LOOK AT THE SUMMER BREAK AHEAD OF THE BUSIEST SEASON IMAGINABLE

2021/22 was a marathon season for Jürgen Klopp’s men as they contested a whopping 63 matches across all competitions. It was the price to pay for success after the Reds qualified for the final of all three Cup competitions.

They did this whilst taking the Premier League title race to the wire as well, in an exciting chase for an unprecedented quadruple. In the end they had to settle for a double but the price they paid was the toll it took on the players.

The physical and mental strain to play every three days for nigh on ten straight months was no easy feat. Nine players registered 45+ appearances, and that’s without accounting for international exertions across the campaign.

Following the victory parade through the city on May 29th, some members of the Liverpool squad began their well earned vacation. Several others had to compete in more matches for their respective nations.

UEFA Nations League, AFCON Qualifiers and friendlies took precedence in the post season as the footballers were run into the ground. The players are right down the priority list alongside supporters where the decision makers are concerned it seems.

That is the only explanation for the pointless Nations League idea for example. The winter World Cup is another poorly thought out tournament, with the biggest feast of international football crammed right in the middle of the club season.

As a result, the 2022/23 campaign commences earlier than usual. The Reds will contest the Community Shield on July 30th, with the Premier League season kicking off on 5th August. The campaign runs till June 10th, 2023 (when the Champions League final is contested).

This overpacked schedule means the footballers have a shorter summer break than usual heading into the busiest season of their careers. Ideally, they should get at least a six week break before the hard graft of pre-season.

We assess just how long a vacation each member of the Liverpool squad will enjoy this summer. The Reds will reconvene at the AXA Training Ground for pre-season July 4th. Some of the players who were involved in the post-season internationals will report on July 9th.

Goalkeepers

• Alisson Becker – 31 days

• Caoimhin Kelleher – 18 days

• Adrian San Miguel – 35 days

Defenders

• Trent Alexander-Arnold – 30 days

• Calvin Ramsay – 47 days

• Joel Matip – 35 days

• Virgil Van Dijk – 34 days

• Ibrahima Konaté – 19 days

• Joe Gomez – 35 days

• Nat Phillips – 54 days

• Ben Davies – 46 days

• Rhys Williams – 36 days

• Sepp Van den Berg – 55 days

• Andy Robertson – 26 days

• Neco Williams – 19 days

• Kostas Tsimikas – 25 days

Midfielders

• Fabinho Tavares – 31 days

• Jordan Henderson – 35 days

• Thiago Alcantara – 35 days

• Naby Keita – 29 days

• James Milner – 35 days

• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 35 days

• Harvey Elliott – 19 days

• Curtis Jones – 24 days

Attackers

• Mohamed Salah – 29 days

• Diogo Jota – 25 days

• Luis Diaz – 35 days

• Roberto Firmino – 35 days

• Fabio Carvalho – 22 days

• Darwin Nunez – 25 days