Ex-Fifa chief issues ‘game-changer’ claim after ‘massive’ Pep Lijnders reveal at Liverpool
Keith Hackett still has two concerns about the introduction of five substitutes after Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders hailed the change.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested it could lead to time wasting and may have negative repercussions further down the football pyramid.
As quoted by the Independent last week (4 August), Lijnders claimed five substitutions have “saved football” and will “massively” affect the Premier League this season.
The change was first temporarily introduced at the end of the 2019-20 season when football resumed following the coronavirus lockdown.
While the rest of Europe introduced it permanently, the Premier League reverted to three subs.
A vote earlier this year saw clubs vote to permanently introduce it from the 2022-23 season onwards.
“I have two concerns,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I’m happy if the right amount of time is added-on, that’s the first one.
“We all know that when a player is fatigued, that’s when injuries come into play. This is not just a tactical issue, it’s a healthy and safety issue as well.
“So I can see why he sees it as a gamechanger. The governing bodies have given it a great deal of thought so at the elite level, it’s the right decision.
“It does have negative effects down below. Lots of non-league clubs struggle because they’ve only got a 12-seater bus!”
Liverpool used four substitutions in their opening Premier League game of the season, a 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday (6 August).
Thiago was forced off with an injury while Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Luis Diaz were also all replaced.
In other news, Liverpool may have found the next Luis Suarez amid a “big” reveal.