Klopp calls for five subs to be introduced in the Premier League
‘It makes so much difference’: Jurgen Klopp calls for five substitutes to be introduced in the Premier League to help save ‘top players’ from injury, as he bemoans his side’s ‘horrible’ schedule ahead of Inter Milan clash
- Liverpool used all five of their substitutes in their 2-0 victory against Inter Milan
- Jurgen Klopp said he expects to make use of all of his changes in the return leg
- He has also called on the Premier League to re-introduce the five substitute rule
- Frustrated manager Klopp has labelled the Reds’ recent schedule as ‘gruelling’
Jurgen Klopp has once again called for five substitutes to be introduced in the Premier League to help prevent ‘top players’ from picking up serious injuries, and voiced his confusion over why the rule has not yet been brought in.
Liverpool used all of their available changes in their 2-0 Champions League victory against Inter Milan in Italy, and manager Klopp has said it is ‘essential’ for him to repeat the move in the last-16 second leg tomorrow.
Highlighting his side’s gruelling recent schedule, he has today highlighted how being able to turn to his bench five times ‘makes so much difference’.
Jurgen Klopp has called for the Premier League to introduce five substitutes this season
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: ‘We played Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday and Tuesday. That’s a horrible schedule.
‘If we can make changes, we will do that. If it’s not, it’s not. It’s essential that we go again for the five subs.’
He then turned his frustration to the top-flight, adding: ‘In one competition we don’t have that. It makes so much difference.
Liverpool benefitted from using all five changes in their 2-0 victory against Inter Milan
‘I don’t see why it takes so long to understand that. The Premier League have to save their top players as well. It’s not an advantage.’
In the first showdown with Milan, Klopp brought on Jordan Henderson, Luis Diaz and Naby Keita, all of whom delivered superb performances to secure the crucial win.
Roberto Firmino was a half-time substitute and opened the scoring, with James Milner also brought on to help the visitors shore up and protect their two-goal lead.
Liverpool also felt the benefits of using five changers in their Carabao Cup triumph.
Roberto Firmino was brought on at the San Siro and scored Liverpool’s first goal of the clash
Both Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea manager, used all of their permitted alterations at Wembley, leading the former to appeal to the Premier League again.
‘For the final, five substitutes was absolutely great. And we have to keep talking about that because the whole world is doing it and it helps football,’ Klopp said.
‘The game we played against Chelsea was one of the most intense games I ever saw for 120 minutes and was only possible because we had five changes.
‘It’s no other chance to do that.
Klopp also turned to his bench five times during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley
He added: ‘So we should really have to discuss that until it happens because it’s so necessary.’
The top-flight allowed five changes in 2020 – the first season affected by Covid.
It later dropped this rule, however, with teams currently restricted to just three.
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