Some say less is more but don’t tell Jurgen Klopp that, who’s called on the Premier League to increase the amount of substitutions from three to five.
With the football calendar affected by the coronavirus pandemic, teams are facing tough schedules, with many forced to play two and, in some cases, even three games in a week. But despite teams being allowed more players on the bench, the Premier League has so far resisted calls to increase the number of subs allowed, with some suggesting it gives an unfair advantage to the bigger clubs.
The Liverpool manager Klopp feels this is a mistake, and after seeing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold injured as his side shared the spoils with Manchester City on Sunday, the German shared his thoughts with Sky Sports:
“All the teams have to understand why it’s so helpful. It’s not an advantage, it’s a necessity. 100 percent,” Klopp told reporters.
“In all other countries it happens and here we make a bit more fun of the competition by having only three subs. That is really incredible, so we have to talk again.”
The injury to Alexander-Arnold is likely to rule him out of England’s games against Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and Iceland later this month, and Klopp believes it’s time the FA stepped in to give the national side more of a chance on the international stage.
“In my understanding it is a lack of leadership. It’s the only big league where you have only three subs. Surprise. The FA has to be involved. Tonight, we lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. I’m pretty sure Gareth Southgate is not fine (with losing the player). If we continue like this and hopefully we can play the Euros in the summer… if they happen, let’s see who will be a part of that.”
After yesterday’s top of the table clash, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola echoed his opposite number’s thoughts: “All around the world it’s five substitutions, but here we believe we are more special.”
The Premier League can review the rule mid-way through the season, although it’s currently unclear whether or not they’ll choose to do that.