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BSP-09
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-LEEDS-KLOPP
Klopp dismayed by end to five-sub rule in Premier League
LONDON, Sept 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp branded
the decision to not extend the use of five substitutes in the Premier League
as a lack of common sense as he voiced his concerns for player welfare in a
congested season.
The Reds begin the defence of their Premier League title at home to Leeds
on Saturday in a campaign that is starting a month later than normal due to
the three-month halt to last season caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Both domestic cup competitions in England have been retained, while
Liverpool are among the clubs who will face six Champions League group games
in seven weeks between late October and early December.
Despite the fixture pile up, the Premier League has not followed the
example of other major European leagues in extending a temporary rule after
the resumption of last season that allowed matchday squads to increase from
18 to 20 and managers to make five substitutions instead of three.
“We press a normal season into a shorter period which will be a proper
challenge, especially with the wonderful rule we set up with 18 (players) and
three (substitutes),” Klopp said on Friday.
“It’s only about player welfare, nothing else, but I don’t know why we
have to discuss it at all and not everybody says yes of course, like the
whole world is doing, at least the whole of Europe!”
Two votes on the rule found a majority of Premier League clubs were
against the rule being extended with those nearer the bottom of the table
fearing it gave the bigger clubs with better squads an even greater
advantage.
“I thought from a common sense point of view that for this year, only this
year not forever, that we would have 20 and five,” added Klopp. “What I
really don’t like is that we deal with this thing based on the wrong facts.
“It is not about having advantages, it is about player welfare and about
having the highest quality in the games for all teams. I was really surprised
when I heard the league decided against it.”
Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United are all expected to pose a
much stiffer title challenge to Liverpool after they romped to a first league
title in 30 years last season.
However, Klopp warned his side cannot look further ahead than Saturday’s
visit of a Leeds side returning to the Premier League for the first time in
16 years.
Marcelo Bielsa has earned hero status in Yorkshire for ending Leeds’ wait
for return to the top-flight and Klopp admitted to being an admirer of the
Argentine.
“I admire him but I was never close enough to him,” said Klopp. “He is
maybe the hardest working of all of us. We all work hard but I don’t think we
can compete with him in that area.
“What he is doing he sticks to it and really pushed it through and is
successful, so it makes him a really interesting figure in this business.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/1850HRS