Why Did Liverpool Make 6 Substitutions Against Southampton & Could They Face a Points Deduction?

Why Liverpool Made Six Substitutions Against Southampton & Whether They Face a Points Deduction

As Liverpool continue their push for the Premier League title, some fans have expressed concern over whether the club could be penalized for making six substitutions in their recent league match.

A Shocking Start but a Strong Liverpool Comeback

Liverpool hosted Southampton in a match that briefly seemed to be heading for an upset. A mix-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk allowed Will Smallbone to give the struggling Saints an early lead, despite Southampton spending most of the season at the bottom of the table.

However, Liverpool responded quickly after halftime. Darwin Núñez equalized before winning a penalty that Mohamed Salah converted, the first of his two spot-kicks in the game. The victory ensured that Arne Slot’s side maintained their lead over second-placed Arsenal, strengthening their position as title favorites.

Why Did Liverpool Make Six Substitutions?

Liverpool made three halftime substitutions, using three of their allocated substitution windows. Later, Diogo Jota replaced Núñez just before the 70th minute, and Wataru Endo came on for Ryan Gravenberch with around 10 minutes remaining.

Confusion arose when, with just one minute of regular time left, Slot sent on Jarell Quansah—seemingly Liverpool’s sixth substitute. Even Salah appeared alarmed, reportedly trying to stop the change from happening due to concerns over a potential points deduction.

Will Liverpool Face a Points Deduction?

Under normal circumstances, making more than five substitutions in a Premier League match could result in disciplinary action, including a possible points deduction. However, Slot’s decision was completely within the rules.

Earlier in the match, Southampton defender Jan Bednarek was forced off with a head injury, leading to Armel Bella-Kotchap replacing him. Under Premier League concussion protocols, when a team makes a substitution for a head injury, their opponent is also granted an additional change.

As a result, despite Liverpool not experiencing a concussion-related issue themselves, they were entitled to a sixth substitution without any risk of punishment. This incident is yet another example of Slot’s sharp tactical awareness, ensuring Liverpool stayed within the rules while maximizing their squad depth.