PROFESSIONAL Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has sympathy for Liverpool FC’s fixture congestion – but admits the players’ union could have done no more to fight their corner.

Anfield manager Kenny Dalglish has again blasted the scheduling of tonight’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Chelsea, just 48 hours after their last Premier League game.

Dalglish will give late fitness tests to several of his players who picked up knocks in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

The Liverpool manager says the PFA should have intervened on the squad’s behalf to try and get the game put back but Taylor insists they are constantly lobbying the football authorities to ease the burden on players.

“I fully agree with him,” said Taylor of Dalglish’s disappointment over the fixture pile-up.

“It’s like trying to get a quart into a pint pot.

“We are in regular dialogue with all the governing bodies in football.

“It is putting increasing demands on players and it is only because of improvements in medical standards, pitches and equipment for example that we have not seen the shortening of careers.

“We are very aware of the situation and we can only continue to lobby the governing bodies.”

Taylor added: “If there is a positive to take from the League Cup games, as Arsenal have been quick to show, is that it gives an opportunity for the younger lads to get a game and they sometime show themselves worthy of the first team.”