Guardiola, Klopp Had A Long Chat After Final Whistle At Etihad; Here's What They Discussed

Pep Guardiola revealed he and Jurgen Klopp discussed that not allowing five substitutions in Premier League is a "disaster" following Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City Sunday.

"We talked about five substitutions. If people want to give microphones so we can give our opinions, English player, right-back is injured. There are many guys with many, many cases. Around the world five subs are key, but here it's totally the opposite. We've talked about this many times," Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day.

Referring to the fact that most of the other leagues have the five-sub rule, Guardiola told Sky Sports, "Trent Alexander-Arnold, international English player, now injured. Here we believe we are more special, we don't protect the players, so that is why it is a disaster. This calendar came from a year before and I will demand players to come back otherwise it will be difficult to maintain it."

On Sunday, Liverpool took the 1-0 lead within 13 minutes from the kick-off whistle. After Man City’s defender Kyle Walker fouled on Sadio Mane, Liverpool were handed a penalty. Mohamed Salah, who has been Klopp’s crucial addition under his reign, once again did not disappoint as he scored from the spot-kick to register his eighth goal in the Premier League season and overall 10th, including two strikes in the UEFA Champions League. Man City’s Gabriel Jesus netted the equalizer in the 31st minute and the scoreline remained 1-1 at the final whistle.

Liverpool, who have suffered many injury issues already in the 2020-21 season, saw their talented right-back, Trent, limp off the field at Etihad Sunday. While the intensity of the injury is yet to be determined, Klopp has confirmed that the English national won’t be available for England's upcoming fixtures against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, and Iceland in the international break.

The five-sub rule was enforced last season when soccer in the U.K. was resumed post the coronavirus break. However, the Premier League clubs voted the rule out ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. Pointing that out, Klopp slammed the leadership in the Premier League at the end of the 1-1 draw at Etihad.

"It's a lack of leadership. Richard Masters sold it completely wrong. It's not an advantage [to be able to use five substitutes], it's a necessity. It happens in other countries; it was sold completely wrong and now you have this situation. Trent will be out for England, [he] will not be the last or only one Gareth will have to deal with either,” added Klopp in the post-match press conference.