Arne Slot names major title advantage Liverpool may already be given next season

Arne Slot believes could be handed a huge advantage in their quest to retain the title next season before a ball has been kicked - thanks to the Club World Cup.

Both and have qualified for the newly-formatted FIFA tournament, which will take place over a month in the United States from the middle of June.

And while both clubs will bank at least £50million for their participation in the 32-team event, the Kop boss feels it could be bad for the health of the players of and

Slot said: “We all have our opinion - and I think most people who work in football have the same opinion as me that this is maybe a tournament too far. When it's being played we will probably all feel we would love to be there because it’s a great occasion.

“Maybe the best time to answer the question is after the tournament. But, at this moment, I would say eight out of 10 people who work in this business don’t feel it really necessary to have another tournament for players who have already had such a long season. In fact, maybe it’s 10 out of 10.

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“I don't think it's healthy for players to only have maybe one week off, go into a tournament, then have one week off and start the whole Premier League season again.

“That can never be good for the health of a player in terms of staying available for the whole season.

“If it's a fantastic tournament then maybe it can also lift you towards next season. I've also worked at Feyenoord when we had to play qualifying games to go in the Conference League and we always started off the season really well because these games are so competitive.

“But we have to wait and see what it means for the long-term for these teams when their players have hardly had any days off.”

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