Rules

Jurgen Klopp blasts Premier League - 'why can't we use five subs?'

The Liverpool boss, speaking in the wake of his side's 1-1 draw with Man City, questioned the decision to remain with three changes

8:50pm on Sunday 8th November 2020
By Paul Macdonald

Jurgen Klopp has taken aim at Premier League CEO Richard Masters over the decision to reject the use of five subs, following his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Liverpool have already suffered injuries to a whole host of first-team players this season, such as Virgil van Dink and Fabinho, while Trent Alexander-Arnold limped out of proceedings at the Etihad and will miss England's upcoming international matches.

With Naby Keita, Alex Oxlader-Chamberlain and Alisson also crocked at various points, Klopp has questioned why other Premier League clubs - and the CEO - opted to not use more changes.

Five subs are allowed in every major European league with the exception of in England, and the German said of Masters: "It's a lack of leadership.

Richard Masters sold it completely wrong. It's not an advantage [using 5 subs], it is a necessity. In all other countries it happens. It’s really incredible."

Both Klopp and his opposite number Pep Guardiola also took the time post-match to complain about the intensity of the match schedule.

In a condensed season due to covid, teams have been playing every three days and in this match, an intense, fast-paced contest descended into a procession in the second half as both sets of players tired.

Klopp said: "We have to talk again about the five subs. Maybe if 14 teams say no and six do, then let us make five subs when we play each other. We want to play football, but Wednesday night and 12.30 [on Saturday] should not be allowed."

Guardiola added: "It's a disaster. All around the world it's five substitutions but here we believe we're more special. We don't protect the players."

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