Why Liverpool got away with making SIX substitutions against Southampton

Liverpool achieved a bizarre first this weekend in their 3-1 win over Southampton.

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Poor first half showing saw the Reds 1-0 down at the break, but Arne Slot’s side were able to come back and secure all three points.

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The Reds’ boss showed once again he isn’t afraid to make big changes early in matches with a triple substitution at half-time.

Although the half-time substitutions helped Liverpool to go on and win, it was a change that Slot made with less than two minutes of regular time to play that left fans baffled.

In the 89th minute, Jarell Quansah became the Reds’ sixth substitute of the day, something that is very rarely said in the Premier League.

Why Liverpool were able to make six substitutions

The rules of the Premier League allow for five substitutions to be made in three blocks and a half-time, so why were the Reds able to make six?

The answer is the Additional Permanent Concussion Substitution (APCS) protocol.

After 15 minutes of play Jan Bednarek went down injured and, after almost a five minute delay, it was determined that the Polish international would leave the pitch as he was showing symptoms of concussion.

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The APCS protocol, that was introduced in the Premier League in 2021, states that: “If there are clear symptoms of concussion, the team will be permitted to apply to replace the player with an additional permanent concussion substitution.”

This explains why Southampton made six substitutions, but why were Liverpool able to do the same?

It is written into the rules that, in order to avoid a team getting an advantage from the APCS, when a concussion substitution is made the opposing team also gain an additional regular substitute that they can use at any point in the match.

Because Slot made his first three changes at half-time, he was then able to make three separate substitutions throughout the second half as well.

The rule caught some fans off guard, but Mohamed Salah was also seen visibly confused as to why Liverpool were attempting to make a sixth change as Quansah was warming up.

The Reds’ boss knew what he was doing of course, and Liverpool won’t face any repercussions for making six substitutions for the very first time under the Dutchman.

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