Liverpool might miss out on some prize money by not being involved in the Club World Cup this summer, but it would be fair to say that Arne Slot won't be too fussed.
As shown by a spending spree that has seen the likes of Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez arrive, Liverpool is not short of cash. And with a full summer of rest and no major international tournament to get in the way of pre-season, the plans for the next campaign are ready to be put in place on the training field.
Jurgen Klopp labeled the Club World Cup a "pointless" tournament that is the "worst idea ever implemented in football" recently. And though Pep Guardiola might not agree— especially if his side goes all the way in the US — the impact on the Premier League next season will be fascinating.
"I try not to think about it, otherwise I would get too anxious," Guardiola said when he was asked about potential burnout. "Instead, I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition, and we try to win it.
"After this, let’s see what happens. Let’s see what happens after the final, we can rest and take the time that the Premier League has allowed us to rest and then we will see."
Klopp's argument — one that Guardiola said he could understand, but not one he was ever going to publicly agree with while at the tournament in question — is that the Club World Cup is a step too far. Players need rest and instead are being asked to never stop.
Man City head coach Pep Guardiola.
Man City head coach Pep Guardiola. (Image: Justin Setterfield - FIFA via Getty Images)
"Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the [Club] World Cup has destroyed us," Guardiola surmised. "I don’t know, but it’s the first time in our lives that this has happened.
"Mentally, I think in the past the players have played in World Cups or European Championships for their national teams so it happens sometimes. You need a rest mentally sometimes, you can recover and then we will see when we come back."
It feels near certain that Manchester City will feel the impacts of the extra games at some point. The Etihad side could still have two more 'competitive' fixtures to play at the Club World Cup after Liverpool returns for pre-season training next week.
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Either Manchester City will start the season flying and tail off, or will feel tired at the start of the campaign and be playing catch-up. In either scenerio, Guardiola will have a problem at some point — especially as he insists on working with a small roster of players.
In contrast, Liverpool — and Arsenal, of course — will have had a break. They should be rejuvenated, while Manchester City will be wondering when the moment of jadedness will come.
For Liverpool, in particular, who wrapped up the Premier League title with four games to spare and was essentially on the beach after that point, there has been an extended rest, mentally as much as physically.
In a season where the Reds will hope to go as far in the Premier League title race and much further in Europe, it has to be an advantage. Guardiola, with his comments, appears to know it.