Dunny’s Hairdryer

WITH a busy festive fixture schedule looming and player welfare at the top his agenda, you might have expected Jurgen Klopp to make at least a few changes in the second half against Tottenham.

But no, he did not make any. Liverpool were playing well and Klopp’s faith in the starting XI paid off handsomely.

Shrewd management, but a final nail in the campaign to align the Premier League with the rest of Europe and bring back a five-substitute rule.

Klopp’s non-use of subs against Spurs is a red herring, yet it will have been seized on by smaller clubs.

And while it makes sense to have uniformity across all leagues, managers such as

Klopp want the rule for tactical as well as physical reasons.

It is why Jose Mourinho, a goal down, sent four subs on in one go against Royal Antwerp.

Would it have been fair to

West Brom if Pep Guardiola had been able to send on Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Ferran Torres, Riyad Mahrez and Kyle Walker to try and get a winner?

That the Premier League is out of kilter with all the other major leagues is an obvious argument for allowing five subs.

But if the 10 clubs who voted against it again believe the Big Six mainly want to reinforce the squad-depth advantage they already have, they are correct.

Which is why they are right to resist.

ANYONE else fear that

thisi Government’s handling chaotic

of the Christmas Covid restrictions lead to another willl no lockdown and

supporters inside stadiumsms ANY

prettypre y soon? Thoughtougt so.

CONGRATULATIONS to those who have booed players taking the knee. The response of footballers throughout the English professional game has been to redouble their commitment to a gesture symbolising the ongoing fight against racism.

Those who jeered have done that fight a favour.