Arne Slot has called on the English football authorities to expand match-day squads to 23 players to help with the hectic schedule teams such as Liverpool are undertaking. Currently in domestic competitions, a manager is only permitted to name nine substitutes, leading to difficult conversations about leaving individuals out.
Liverpool face Tottenham in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield, after losing 1-0 in the first leg almost a month ago. Slot, who will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for Tottenham’s visit, had to omit Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez from the squad that played against Bournemouth on Saturday and the Dutchman would rather to have been able to include them.
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“We are here in a country where we play the most games, especially the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Arsenal, us – all the ones playing in Europe and we have the League Cup and the FA Cup,” Slot said. “I don’t understand why we don’t go to 23 in this country because in this country, we play the most games everywhere around the world and we only have 20 players we can take to the game. It’s not for that game because nine substitutes is more than enough but to keep the dressing room going because you need more than 20 players in this country.”
Slot also has concerns about referees making live announcements at matches with regard to VAR decisions. The Carabao Cup semi-finals have trialled the use of officials explaining the process that led to the outcome and this protocol is expected to be used in the Premier League in future.
“For me that is not necessary,” Slot said. “I wonder if it’s a good thing for the referee because he’s already under a lot of pressure in every game from the home fans. I think him explaining, if it’s against the home team, would add even more pressure in the next and the next and the next decision he has to make.”
