Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hit out at suggestions that his motivation for wanting to make five substitutions is for tactical reasons as opposed to player welfare
Jurgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that he wants the Premier League to introduce five substitutions to give Liverpool a tactical advantage in matches.
Sides are able to call upon five changes in European and domestic cup action, but the Premier League is one of the few professional leagues to have reverted back to three substitutions during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Reds made five in-game changes in their Champions League victory over Inter Milan in midweek, with half-time substitute Roberto Firmino scoring the opening goal and the introduction of Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Luis Diaz on the hour-mark credited with turning the game in Liverpool ’s favour.
Klopp was pleased with the impact his substitutes made at the San Siro, and, when speaking to reporters ahead of his side’s clash with Norwich City, was adamant the only motivation behind such a stance is player welfare.
“Yes, definitely, it was the perfect example,” Klopp said of his San Siro substitutes. “The attitude they showed was top.
“One of the newspapers said (after beating Inter Milan) now it’s clear why I want to have five subs; because of the difference we can make in these situations to other teams.
“I cannot believe that somebody who earns his money talking about football still doesn’t get it. Still doesn’t get it. In a situation like that, we do it to have an advantage tactically? That has nothing to do with it! Absolutely nothing! That’s something every coach will use.
“We played against Burnley. They have problems with injuries but (if implemented) they could have had five changes as well, that’s how it is. You bring off a tired player, Weghorst has a problem, they have problems with injuries but that is a completely different situation.
“If you don’t have that, then you always have players out there and you can share the intensity of the situation much better.
“Somebody else says again, ‘you want it because you have an advantage.’ That’s absolutely not true. I cannot believe it is still discussed like this. That’s the reason why, in this country, it’s still not (implemented).”
And Klopp used Bayern Munich’s modest lead at the top of the Bundesliga title as well as Fabinho’s recent international exploits with Brazil to stress his point further, insisting an increase in substitutions would reduce injuries before calling for the Premier League to reinstate the temporary number of five changes.
“It’s in all other countries in the world and pretty well,” he said. “That doesn’t make Bayern 20 points ahead of other teams or in Italy, all of a sudden the better teams are running away. They are not. Very tight competitions.
“We hide here, in this country, behind the fact, ‘Meh, it helps them, it helps them. I cannot see it helps us.’
“Look at Crystal Palace. The offensive players they have, they could change all three in each game.
“We would have 20% of the injuries we have now because we push them through, play again, play again, play again, because we have to win football games.
“Five subs! It’s a must have! For the future. For now already but at least for the future because we have to give the players the opportunity to save energy because they cannot do it on the pitch. We have to make it like this.
“It means we have three players who come on the pitch who, for different reasons, have a very intense period. Fab played for Brazil, came back, played immediately.
“You have three players out there and you can bring them on, fresh legs, and save one from an injury and the other three can show and didn’t play the 60 minutes before.
“That’s the reason for it. Nothing else. It would be really kind if it could stop being discussed on another level because it’s just not true.
“You can ask whoever you want. Nobody thinks it’s an advantage from a tactical point of view.
“Some think that’s why we want it. ‘It’s clear Klopp wants five subs because then he can bring these guys.’ Nothing to do with it!”
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