Jurgen Klopp has given his backing to the idea of a return to five substitutions in English football, saying it would make “big differences” for players and teams. The Liverpool manager said that games were becoming too long with side not getting enough time on the field, but he was also against any changes being made which brought about a heavier schedule than at present.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has backed Thomas Tuchel’s call for the Premier League to return to a five substitutions rule. Read more in detail here: jurgen klopp.
In the midst of the current COVID-19 epidemic, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has backed Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s plea for the Premier League to reinstate five substitutes this season.
Clubs were allowed to employ five substitutes once the league resumed in June 2020 following a three-month suspension due to the pandemic, but that number was reduced to three last season.
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Tuchel, on the other hand, believes the league should reexamine the regulation after the Omicron variety hit multiple teams and resulted in the postponement of 15 matches this month.
Due to a COVID-19 outbreak at Elland Road, Liverpool’s Boxing Day match against Leeds United was also canceled, and Klopp agreed with Tuchel on the necessity for additional substitutes.
“Yes, we have to set competitiveness aside,” Klopp said at a press conference on Monday when asked whether he would be in favor of the five substitutes. Yes, [Manchester] City has better substitutes than Southampton, and we have better substitutes than Burnley.
“The issue is that the intensity required of a top-level player in England is at an all-time high. In England, a top-level player may play 38 Premier League games plus two cup tournaments, for a total of 43 [games]. Because they all play for their national teams, international games may be as many as ten, plus Champions League games, and the deeper you go, the more games there are.
Despite the current COVID-19 controversy, Jurgen Klopp wants the Premier League to revert to employing five replacements. Danehouse/Getty Images photo by Alex Livesey
“So, quite fast, we’ve reached a zone of at least 50 games.” If my memory serves me well, we reached the final in the 64th game of my first season here, so there are some essential players who are only absent when they are injured. The decision is made by 14 teams at the managers’ meeting since it takes 14 votes to modify it, and there’s something wrong with that.
“For example, Burnley has three games and they have none, and I’m not sure how many of their players play international football.” We’re discussing a problem that certain clubs and players are aware of, but which is determined by other teams. They say no because we make it a competition. That is a serious issue. [Five subs] is the proper option, particularly now, when players are being brought back after a COVID illness or an injury, and they must play straight away.
“In this fantastic game, the player is generally in excellent form, well-trained, recovers quickly, and goes for it. It will be much more difficult if we do not do so. The greatest and most intense league in the world is still the only league in Europe with three substitutes, which is unacceptable.
“We should modify it, but it’s up to the Premier League to make this choice on its own, which they can’t because they require votes from other teams, so I don’t think there’s a genuine possibility.”
Prior to Liverpool’s visit to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers called the Premier League schedule “crazy.”
On Monday, it was also announced that a total of 103 positive COVID-19 cases were discovered among Premier League players and staff in the previous week.
The number of instances has progressively risen in recent weeks, with 42 cases testing positive between December 6 and 12 and 90 cases testing positive between December 13 and 19.
Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones, and Thiago will all be available for the encounter, according to Klopp.
With a game in hand, Liverpool is equal on points with third-placed Chelsea and six points behind league leaders City.
This story contains information from Reuters.
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