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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks on as Sadio Mane comes on as a substitute to replace Divock Origi during the FA Cup fifth round match against Norwich City in Liverpool, March 2, 2022. — Reuters pic
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LONDON, March 4 — 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.
“So we should really have to discuss that until it happens because it’s so necessary.”
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, today his only thoughts were on tomorrow’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 enjoying this situation we’re in but I don’t enjoy the questions about it because it’s constant and it’s like we’ve won the games already,” Klopp said.
“If we lose tomorrow you’ll all sit here and tell me the race is over. I don’t have the capacity for all these scenarios.
“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.”
Klopp says fifth-placed West Ham represent a tough obstacle if they are to keep the pressure on City.
“What West Ham is doing is incredibly good,” Klopp said. “(Manager) David Moyes has organised a team in a really good way and made smart transfers.
“In the game at West Ham I don’t think we were ourselves, at least not to 100 per cent. We have to be better than the first game.”
Roberto Firmino is still not ready to return while defender Joel Matip is unavailable because of illness. Curtis Jones and Naby Keita will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s game. — Reuters