Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has criticized Premier League clubs for voting against the use of five substitutes for the third time.
The Premier League is the only top division in Europe that hasn’t allowed five substitutes for the 2020/21 season. However, clubs did vote to increase the number of players allowed on the bench from seven to nine-a measure that will come into effect from Matchday 14 that begins on Saturday.
The Premier League club’s vote came after football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirmed an extension to the rule on Wednesday. Clubs were able to use five substitutes, and have a bench of nine when the Premier League 2019/21 season resumed as part of the Project Restart in June.
However, they chose to return to the normal three at the start of the current season. For this reason, Liverpool manager, Klopp has previously criticized Premier League executives for “ignoring player welfare” is not increasing the number of substitutes.
Klopp’s side is missing a number of key players through injury including the world-class defender Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, midfielder Thiago Alcantara and forward Diogo Jota.
“Everybody knows my opinions about it”. Said Klopp. “Everyone knows 10 clubs voted against it. It was not about advantages. It was only about players welfare. And they voted against it”.
“Pretty much only they voted against them in the whole world. I don’t know which other leagues only have three subs. There must be a good reason for it, for all these leagues and clubs to for it”.