Endo was one of six Liverpool substitutions. (Image: Getty)
won’t be docked points by the despite making more than five substitutions during . A turgid first-half display by the Reds was compounded by Will Smallbone scoring in injury time, but turned the tide by sending on three new players after the interval.
Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, and Harvey Elliott all entered the fray. It paid dividends as levelled within minutes of the restart before a penalty made it 2-1. Salah later sealed the win with another goal from the spot, by which time Diogo Jota and Wataru Endo had also come off the bench.
However, with time running out, the Egyptian suddenly cut an exasperated figure when he noticed Jarrel Quansah was being prepared to replace . Salah tried to protest the substitution to the coaching staff but Slot defied his key man by sending the defender on for a mere 90 seconds of play.
The Dutchman knew exactly what he was doing, though. Premier League rules permit both sides involved in a match to make six changes, instead of the regulation five, if a player has to leave the field under concussion protocols.
In only the 19th minute, Southampton captain Jan Bednarek was forced off with a head injury and replaced by Armel Bella-Kotchap. Salah clearly lost sight of that development, but not the coaching staff.
Jarrell Quansah (right) came on in injury time. (Image: Getty)
It’s not the first time that the rule has been utilised in England’s top flight this season. On the opening weekend, exploited the loophole in their 1-1 draw with after Rodrigo Bentacur was forced off following a blow to the head.
By that point, had opted to make four substitutes, and he made two more changes in the 92nd minute. Like at Anfield today, it led to question marks, although it was back in February 2021 when Premier League clubs agreed to introduce additional permanent concussion substitutions.
League rules state: “If the referee stops a match for a potential concussion injury to a player, the medical staff of that player’s team will enter the field of play to make an assessment while the tunnel doctor will review video footage of the incident.
“The team doctor will have as much time as is required to make an on-pitch clinical assessment of the player. If there are clear symptoms of concussion, or the video provides clear evidence of concussion, the team will be permitted to apply to replace the player with an additional permanent concussion substitution.”