COMMON CAUSE
Guardiola, Klopp unite to fight for five subs in Premier League
PEP Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp united to fight for a U-turn to the Premier League’s three-substitution rule after Manchester City and Liverpool played out a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
A share of the points between the sides that have combined to win the title for the past three seasons leaves Liverpool in third just a point off the top, while City sit five points further back in 11th but with a game in hand.
A flying start from Liverpool was rewarded with Mohamed Salah’s 13th-minute penalty, but Gabriel Jesus levelled for Guardiola’s men before City captain Kevin De Bruyne pulled a penalty wide three minutes before halftime.
After a pulsating first 45 minutes, the tempo eased off in the second with Liverpool suffering an injury blow when Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off with a calf problem.
Guardiola and Klopp have been outspoken advocates of the use of five substitutes, which was used in the Premier League at the end of last season and is being used in all other major leagues in Europe and the Champions League this season.
However, the Premier League’s top teams lost a vote for it to remain for the 2020/21 season with fears it only serves to benefit the clubs with bigger squads.
“We speak about how we have to fight again and again about five substitutions,” said Guardiola when asked about the subject of his post-match conversation with Klopp.
“All around the world there is five substitutions. Here we believe we are a special league with just three players, we don’t protect the players.
“Look at Trent AlexanderArnold, an international English player, he is injured. That’s why it is a disaster.
“With this calendar which comes from a special year before, I will demand, if the people allow my voice, five substitutions have to come back for the players, the managers, everyone to do it. If not, it’s difficult to sustain it.”
Klopp accused Premier League CEO Richard Masters of a “lack of leadership” over the matter.
“It’s not an advantage, it’s a necessity,” added the Liverpool
boss. “It was a super football game form all points of view.”
“Two top teams ready for a massive fight. The energy of both teams tonight was incredible. After 10-15 minutes everybody was already breathing heavily.”
Guardiola said: “In the second half, we had a more clear chances but a draw is a fair result. Against teams like Liverpool if you concede a penalty you should avoid and miss a penalty, it makes it more difficult.”