Ex-Premier League referee demands major law change after what he’s heard from Klopp at Liverpool today
Keith Hackett has backed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s call to reintroduce five substitutes in the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested it should come in as a temporary measure before a review at the end of the season.
As quoted by Sky Sports today (27 December), Klopp reiterated his calls for five subs but admitted it was unlikely with 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs needing to agree.
One other high-profile proponent is Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel who told the same outlet yesterday (26 December) that the workload of players needs to be reduced – especially over the festive period.
Premier League clubs were allowed to introduce five players from the bench last season before it was reduced back to three for the 2020-21 campaign.
Asked for his verdict on the idea, Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I’ve heard people say it benefits the bigger clubs.
“Look, every club has a squad of 25 players. For me, given the circumstances, given a decision can be made on the morning of the match on whether it will even go ahead, I favour the five subs.
“I favour it on the basis that it is brought in for a limited period until the end of the season then it can be reviewed.
“We all know if they are used from a tactical point of view, delaying the game and all that goes with it then there’s also a negative. Referees fail to add on the time. There are positive and negative impacts with it.
“The rest of Europe has it. We should do the same. The Premier League is the senior competition in Europe and the world and should therefore follow suit.”
In other news, a Liverpool star who signed new deal this season may quit in January after the twist last week.