Amid concerns over player welfare, a remarkable stat has emerged revealing Cody Gakpo as the most-played footballer in the elite game.
Footballers are playing more minutes than ever, with the sport’s various organisations competing for relevance on the football calendar.
As a team that usually competes on four fronts, Liverpool have a packed schedule. Throw in even more internationals for most of the squad, and you get a situation in which the Reds are simply playing too much football.
Global players’ union FIFPro said Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo was involved in 71 competitive games for club and country in 2024, more than any other player.
Fifteen of those came for the Netherlands, leaving him to play 61 matches for the Reds during the 52-week calendar year.
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He played those 61 matches across the Premier League, the Europa League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
With it being a World Cup year, he could come close to that tally again in 2025 if Liverpool and the Netherlands progress in their respective tournaments.
Earlier this year, FIFPro published a report recommending professional footballers be allowed at least a four-week off-season break and a minimum of four weeks in pre-season.
At the moment, the mandatory summer break permitted is just three weeks.
After the World Cup final on July 19, 2026, there is little more than a four-week gap until the Premier League restarts on August 22.
Jurgen Klopp’s support for better player welfare
SINGAPORE - Wednesday, August 2, 2023: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo shakes hands with manager Jürgen Klopp after being substituted during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and FC Bayern Munich FC at the Singapore National Stadium. Bayern won 4-3. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jurgen Klopp is among the most prominent voices for better player welfare, recently criticising the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup format.
The former manager told Welt am Sonntag: “It’s all about the game and not the surrounding events – and that’s why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard.
“People who have never had or do not have anything to do with day-to-day business any more are coming up with something.
“There is insane money for participating, but it’s also not for every club.
“Last year it was the Copa (America) and the European Championship, this year it’s the Club World Cup, and next year the World Cup. That means no real recovery for the players involved, neither physically nor mentally.
“I have serious fears that players will suffer injuries they’ve never had before next season. If not next season, then it will happen at the World Cup or afterwards.
“We constantly expect the players to go into every game as if it were their last. We tell them that 70 or 75 times a year. But it can’t go on like this.
“We have to make sure they have breaks, because if they don’t get them, they won’t be able to deliver top performances – and if they can’t achieve that any more, the entire product loses value.”
Well said, Jurgen. It doesn’t matter how much money you earn, it doesn’t change your body’s capabilities.