Jurgen Klopp admits that he is losing the support of other Premier League managers over the introduction of the 5-substitutes rule
Speaking ahead of the game vs Tottenham (h/t Daily Mail), Jurgen Klopp has said that it feels like he is the only voice when it comes to getting the Premier League to implement the 5-substitutes rule this season.
The Premier League permitted teams to use 5 substitutes per game at the end of last season. ‘Project Restart’ kept in mind the lack of fitness of players due to football stopping for a lengthy duration amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the Premier League did not deem it necessary to keep the rule this season. Jurgen Klopp has been the most vocal advocate for the reintroduction.
“Sometimes it feels like I am the only voice for the [five subs]. Other people think the same. Journalists are not supportive, you are not really interested.”
The Liverpool manager’s visible desire to have the rule re-implemented has not been met with unanimous approval by other managers. Few managers of teams especially in the relegation zone deem the rule as a disadvantage for their teams.
The debate reached a boiling point when Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder labelled Klopp ‘selfish’ for his demands. However, Klopp’s concern is not without cause. (h/t Daily Mail)
The Reds have had an unprecedented injury crisis which has seen first-team players being sidelined due to injuries. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s main centre-backs, are both sidelined for a lengthy duration.
Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Joel Matip, Fabinho, and Alisson have all had their own bouts with injury this season.
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Xherdan Shaqiri, Rhys Williams, and even the ever-fit James Milner have borne the brunt of the congested fixture list.
The German manager managed to find humour even in this situation. He joked that due to Liverpool’s injury crisis, they won’t be able to make 5 substitutions even if the Premier League implements the rule.
“At the moment I probably don’t have enough subs to make five subs! It is not my decision… I still hope for the players.”
