Much has been made recently of how clubs fighting for the Premier League title can cope with their workload. Gary Neville advised Liverpool to chuck in the Champions League to concentrate on the Premier League and though they refused to listen to that advice, Jurgen Klopp’s changes in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup – which led to defeats to Chelsea and Wolves at the first hurdle of each competition – suggest he is wary of overloading his players.
He need not worry now.
As it stands, the maximum number of games Liverpool will play this season is fewer than the minimum possible workload for Tottenham and Manchester City. Supposing Klopp’s men go all the way to the Champions League final, they would still play fewer games than City or Spurs, even if Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino’s sides make the swiftest possible exits from all the cup competitions in which they remain.
History also suggests Klopp has little to fear from fatigue. Liverpool are guaranteed to play fewer games this season than any of the 13 Premier League teams that won the title in the last 15 seasons while competing in Europe.
Liverpool’s workload
Minimum number of games they will play this season: 48 (38 Premier League, 8 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Maximum number of games they will play this season: 53 (38 Premier League, 13 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup)
Number of players used: 25
How does Liverpool’s likely workload compare to previous Premier League champions?
Two of the last three title winners have been able to focus on their domestic campaigns without the distraction of Europe. But over the last 15 seasons, every other Premier League champion has had to fight on home and European fronts. These are the numbers since 2003/04:
The average number of games played by Premier League champions: 56
The average number of games played by the 13 teams to win the Premier League title while competing in Europe: 58
Highest number of games played by a Premier League title winner: 66 – Manchester United, 2008-09
Fewest number of games played by a Premier League title winner: 43 – Leicester City, 2015-16
Average number of players used in all competitions by Premier League title winners: 29
Average number of players used in all competitions by Premier League title winners competing in Europe: 30