Champions League could be extended by four matches per season

A plan is in place to extend the Champions League by four matches per season, according to the Times.

The new format has not yet been fully agreed, but a restructured group stage is a possibility, as is an ‘additional round-robin phase’.

The report also states that finding the time for extra games is the biggest hurdle to overcome, in order to avoid disrupting domestic action.

The EFL Cup is described as being under the ‘greatest threat’ of being axed moving forward.

Read Liverpool Verdict

In my opinion, there is simply no need to tinker with the current Champions League format.

It works well having one group stage, in my opinion – the two group phases back in 2001/02 and 2002/03 didn’t work – prior to the knockout stages taking place.

All this does to Liverpool, and every team concerned, is mean more football, risking injuries and fatigue.

I think this is a classic example of football’s authorities making changes for the sake of it, when they should just leave a perfectly good format alone.

Of course, it may allow extra teams a chance to play in Europe’s top club competition, but that shouldn’t take precedence over preserving the fitness of players, as well as the domestic game.