Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp doubles down on five subs plea as Sheffield United stand firm

Five changes were brought in when football returned post-lockdown but went back to three for the beginning of this campaign after a vote by Premier League clubs.

However, there have been growing calls for the rule to be changed again – with Klopp and Man City boss Pep Guardiola at the forefront.

Oremier League managers met this week to discuss the matter, among other subjects, and the Liverpool boss says the players ‘need it’.

“On Wednesday we [Premier League managers] had a meeting between all of the managers and it was so important,” Klopp told mailonline.

Sheffield United Column: Five-subs talk tips the scales in big boys' favour and must be resisted

He added: “Before the season, some people thought it would be an advantage for us, the people who said we should stick to three substitutions. But it was never — and I can promise you this, I’m a Christian — it was not for one second about having an advantage. All the other countries did it. Italy — Juventus, Inter Milan, they have the biggest squads, but still the other clubs said, ‘We need five subs.’

“[On Wednesday] six managers changed their minds. We need it. For the players, not the clubs. December and January in a normal season is brutal. We know that. But this year, for the Champions League and Europa League clubs, October is like December. November is like December. December is still December, then January, then February.”

Sheffield United are believed to be standing firm on their views against the proposed change, with Blades CEO Stephen Bettis telling Sky Sports recently: "We remain suspicious that big clubs simply want to be able to sub off players to rest them to keep them fresh. Of course the bigger the club, the stronger the bench."

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