Liverpool icon fires back at Rodri over 'strike' comments - and he's got it spot on

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson reckons Rodri 'doesn't have a point' after the Manchester City star claimed he and fellow professionals were considering going on strike.

Undoubtedly the best holding midfielder in the world right now, Rodri has for the last six seasons played over 50 games for club and country. Last term, the Spanish international played 56 games in all competitions, helping City to their fourth consecutive Premier League title, and Spain to European Championship glory.

But, ahead of the Champions League return earlier this week, the 28-year-old admitted he had considered going on strike due to the huge amount of games he and his fellow elite professionals were having to play. "I think we are close to that [striking]," said Rodri when asked about potential strikes from players.

• 4 things spotted in Liverpool training as Darwin Nunez sends clear message
• Liverpool news and transfers LIVE: Trent Alexander-Arnold claim, Martin Zubimendi update, Arne Slot press conference

"If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let's see."

With City likely to go deep in every competition they will compete in this term, alongside the addition of two extra Champions League games and the introduction of the new Club World Cup in the summer, which could add another seven fixtures to a finalists schedule, it is understandable Rodri would raise these concerns, especially given the lack of rest he gets due to his importance in Pep Guardiola's side.

However, the Spaniard's comments have irked Liverpool great Mark Lawrenson, who does not think the City star "has a point."

"With Rodri’s comments about players striking because of the number of games, I don’t think he has a point," said Lawrenson, speaking to Paddy Power.

"These players do play a lot of games, but they earn a fortune, travel the world on private jets and their respective clubs do all they can so the players aren’t weary. There are too many games, but we’ve been saying this for years and I remember one season at Liverpool where six of us played more than 60 games, but you just get on with it because it’s your job.

“In my day, you’d never go up to the manager to tell him that you were tired, you’d just look for your name on the team sheet and get playing.”

Liverpool.com says: "Personally we're a bit torn on the strike discussion from Rodri. On one hand, elite level soccer players are compensated by massive wages and luxuries others could only dream of. That said, just because something was one way in the past, it doesn't mean it should be in the future. Put simply at the top level, there is too much football which can sometimes dilute the product. It will be interesting to see just how the likes of Manchester City handle the issues raised by Rodri moving forward, especially with FIFA's new revamped Club World Cup on the horizon."