Follow all the latest news and coverage as Europe's top competition returns in its new format with build-up to Liverpool and Aston Villa's matches.

Manchester City's Rodri said players are "close" to going on strike in protest of the crowded soccer calendar, which has increasingly become a point of tension in the sport amid concerns about player welfare.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde “agreed with everything” said by Manchester City’s Rodri on footballers being “close” to striking over the volume of matches. The mass expansion of the Club World Cup by FIFA — coupled with an increase in Champions League matches in UEFA’s new competition format — has swelled the club calendar.

Rodri revealed players are not happy with soccer's expanded match calendar. Ahead of Manchester City's clash with Inter Milan, Rodri fielded questions from jour

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has suggested players are "close" to going on strike because of concerns over their increasing workload.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri says top soccer players are close to going on strike because of the number of games they are having to play.

Luke Entwistle reporting from Monaco Manchester City midfielder Rodri (28) evoked the idea of a strike in reaction to the increasingly packed schedule. Barcelona’s Jules Koundé (25) has echoed

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has indicated he would be open to a player strike unless the season fixture overload is addressed.

Barcelona's Jules Kounde was in agreement with Manchester City's Rodri that players could go on strike