Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Klopp renews call for five substitutes
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has repeated his call for Premier League clubs to be able to use five substitutes after feeling the benefit of it in last week’s League Cup final. Klopp described the Wembley showpiece against Chelsea, which Liverpool won 11-10 in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw, as one of the most intense games he had witnessed.
Both he and opposite number Thomas Tuchel used five substitutes during the game and Klopp said the Premier League should allow five, rather than three, as it did in 2020 during the first season affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“For the final, five substitutes was absolutely great. And we have to keep talking about that because the whole world is doing it and it helps football,” Klopp told reporters.
“The game we played against Chelsea was one of the most intense games I ever saw for 120 minutes and was only possible because we had five changes. It’s no other chance to do that.”
Liverpool’s win over Chelsea, their first domestic cup title for a decade, means they are still chasing a quadruple this season. They are second behind Manchester City in the title race, have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and are well-placed to reach the Champions League’s last eight.
However, yesterday his only thoughts were on today’s home clash against a West Ham United side who beat them in November. Victory would leave Liverpool only three points behind City having played the same amount of games.
“I’m barely smart enough for enough focus for one game. I’m not in a chasing mood, I just hope we’re ready for West Ham.”
Roberto Firmino is still not ready to return while defender Joel Matip is unavailable because of illness.
| Reuters