Klopp asks for five substitutions to protect players amid record Covid-19 cases

Premier League announces a record 103 players and staff tested positive for coronavirus

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is worried about the workload of players. EPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reiterated the need for five substitutions in the Premier League to protect players as a record number of Covid-19 cases were announced this week.

Main leagues in Europe have increased the number of substitutions per game to five to ease the load on players, but Premier League clubs voted against it.

Fifteen games in the English league have already been postponed this month due to coronavirus outbreaks, with a lack of available players forcing those not fully fit to play more minutes.

"You need 14 votes to change it - there's something wrong. As an example, I'm not sure how many Burnley players play international football. When our players have three games, they have no game," Klopp said on Monday.

"We are talking about an issue that some clubs and some players definitely have but it's decided by other teams. Because we make a competition of it, they say no. That's a real problem.

"The best league in the world, the most intense league in the world, is the only league with still three subs. That's not right, we should change it [but] I don't see a real chance to change it, to be honest."

Liverpool v Leicester ratings

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 7 The Irishman made a good stop from Daka but might have done better for Vardy’s opener. He rose to the challenge in the penalty shootout and made two huge saves. AFP

Conor Bradley - 4 The 18-year-old had a tough night and could have done with more support. His distribution was poor and although he had one shot on goal he was taken off at the break for Jota. EPA

Joe Gomez - 4 The centre back looked rusty. He gave away the ball before Daka’s early chance and later made a howler to allow Vardy in but was lucky the striker hit the post. Getty

Billy Koumetio - 5 The 19-year-old found it hard to keep track of Daka and his inexperience was obvious. He gave away the ball needlessly and did not reappear for the second half when Konate took his place. AFP

Kostas Tsimikas - 5 The Greek was wasteful on the ball but was involved in creating his team’s first goal. He was replaced by Beck with 10 minutes to go. PA

Tyler Morton - 4 The 19-year-old sat deep in the midfield but was frequently overrun. His tackling verged on rash and he was booked early on. Milner replaced him at half time. AP

Jordan Henderson - 4 The captain did not influence the game as he might have expected. Play bypassed him too often and he was withdrawn in the 59th minute for Keita. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 8 The 28-year-old ran at the defence and scored to start the comeback. He was dangerous throughout and tucked away his penalty in the shootout. Getty

Neco Williams - 6 The 20-year-old was a bit lost in an unfamiliar attacking position but headed back across the box in the lead up to Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal. He was much more comfortable when switched to full back in the second period. AP

Roberto Firmino - 7 The Brazilian showed his composure in a crowded box when he set up Oxlade-Chamberlain to score. He looked sharp and finished the night with a cool, dancing run-up before slotting home his penalty. Getty

Takumi Minamino - 6 The Japanese provided a great ball for Jota’s goal and scored the late equaliser but was too often peripheral. His penalty in the shootout was poor. Getty

SUBS: Ibrahima Konate - 8 The Frenchman joined the action after the break for Koumetio and the defence was immeasurably better. He was calm on the ball and in the tackle. PA

Diogo Jota - 7 The Portuguese replaced Bradley at half-time and made a big impression. He caused the defence problems, scored the second goal and tucked away the game-winning penalty. PA

James Milner - 8 The 35-year-old came on for Morton at the break. He brought intelligence and toughness to the side and provided the cross for Minamino’s late equaliser. He sent Schmeichel the wrong way in the shootout. Getty

Naby Keita - 8 The Guinean entered the fray for Henderson in the 59th minute and set the tempo from then on. He gave the team extra thrust and scored with style in the shootout. EPA

Owen Beck - 6 The 19-year-old was given 10 minutes when Tsimikas came off. He was efficient and will benefit from the experience. Getty

LEICESTER RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel - 5 The Dane made some uncharacteristic mistakes alongside a handful of good saves. He needed to be big in the shootout but was outshone by Kelleher. EPA

Ricardo Pereira - 5 The Portuguese was already struggling with a hamstring injury when he was poleaxed by Morton. He was never comfortable afterwards and limped off in the 42nd minute and was replaced by Albrighton. EPA

Wilfred Ndidi - 5 The Nigerian made a fine last-gasp tackle to deny Firmino but found things more difficult as the game went on. He was caught under the ball for the late equaliser. PA

Caglar Soyuncu - 7 The Turk made a huge block to stop Firmino but injured himself in the process and had to be substituted for Vestergaard in the 60th minute. He was a big loss for the defence. AP

Luke Thomas - 6 The 20-year-old held his own, even in the second half when the pressure was ratchetted up. His penalty was saved too easily by Kelleher. PA

Youri Tielemans - 7 The Belgian was inventive in the first half and dropped back to help the defence in the second period. He scored in the shootout. PA

Boubakary Soumare - 6 The Frenchman got up and down the pitch and imposed himself, especially in the first half. He had less impact after the break. AP

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 6 The 23-year-old showed his potential with an early defence-splitting pass to Daka and he put the same player in position to cross for Vardy’s second goal. He should have scored in the second half and was taken off on the hour for Bertrand. Reuters

James Maddison - 7 The 25-year-old played the smart ball that enabled Vardy to score the opener and then lashed in a tremendous strike from distance. He had plenty of clever touches and scored in the shootout. AP

Patson Daka - 6 The Zambian had an early chance that stung Kelleher's hands and he set up Vardy’s opening goal. His pace worried the defence but Liverpool stiffened after the break. He was replaced by Iheanacho in the 56th minute. Getty

Jamie Vardy - 7 The 34-year-old terrified Gomez and bagged two goals but should have scored more. He could have put the game out of Liverpool’s reach but hit the post. Reuters

SUBS: Marc Albrighton - 6 The 32-year-old came on for Pereira in the 42nd minute. He was strong in the face of Liverpool’s onslaught and smashed home his spot kick. AP

Kelechi Iheanacho - 4 The Nigerian was brought on for Daka with 34 minutes to go. He was unable to get into the game but rammed home his penalty in the shootout. Reuters

Ryan Bertrand - 5 The 32-year-old replaced Dewsbury-Hall after an hour. He was solid enough but let himself down with a very poor penalty. PA

Jannik Vestergaard - 5 The Dane was sent on after an hour when Soyuncu was injured. He was caught in a poor position for Jota’s goal. AP

Klopp's complaint came as the Premier League revealed a record 103 players and staff tested positive for the virus during December 20 to 26.

A week ago, the English top-flight set a new high since testing began in 2020 with 90 positive cases. That mark has now been crossed as the Omicron variant takes its toll.

So far in December, 15 Premier League games have been called off, while the three divisions below the top tier have been decimated by postponements.

"The League can today confirm between Monday December 20 and Sunday December 26, 15,186 Covid-19 tests were administered on players and club staff. Of these, there were 103 new positive cases," a Premier League statement said.

"The safety of everyone is a priority and the Premier League is taking all precautionary steps in response to the impact of the Omicron variant."

Liverpool's game against Leeds, Watford's trip to Wolves and Burnley against Everton were all cancelled before their scheduled Boxing Day kickoffs. Arsenal's home match against Wolves on Tuesday was postponed on Sunday after an increase in case numbers among Wolves' squad.

Leeds' game with Aston Villa, scheduled for December 28, was also postponed on Sunday due to Leeds' continued Covid and injury issues.

Despite the rise in Covid cases and several postponements, Premier League chiefs last week opted against halting the season despite calls from some top-flight bosses for a break.

At the same meeting, clubs were told that games will go ahead if each team has 13 fit outfield players and a goalkeeper.

Six Premier League games did go ahead on Sunday in front of crowds despite Britain battling a significant rise in Covid cases.

No restrictions have yet been put in place for the size of crowds at matches in England, although supporters do have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.