Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have the chance to make five substitutions in this season’s Champions League.
UEFA this afternoon confirmed that its executive committee has decided to allow up to five substitutions for all matches played in European national team and club games for the rest of the season.
A statement from UEFA read: “The UEFA Executive Committee also decided to allow up to five substitutions for all matches played in the UEFA Nations League, the European Qualifiers play-offs, the UEFA Women’s EURO Qualifiers, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, for the remainder of the season, in order to alleviate the burden on players caused by the condensed international match calendars 2020/21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
As a result of the change, the number of players allowed in a matchday squad will be increased to 23, where this is not already the case.
The Reds boss voiced his frustration last month after the five substitutions rule was dropped by the Premier League after being brought in as part of Project Restart in June.
Speaking ahead of his side's game against Leeds United, Klopp said: “So, it’s about we compress a normal season in a shorter period, which will be a proper challenge, especially with the wonderful rule we set up with 18 [players in the squad] and three [substitutes to make] pretty much.
“It’s only about player welfare, by the way – I wanted to say that, nothing else, but I don’t know why we have to discuss this at all.
“Like the whole world is doing, at the least the whole of Europe, but that’s how it is. It will just be difficult, but it is always difficult so that’s not new.”
Liverpool will discover their UEFA Champions League opponents when the draw for the group stage is made next week.
