Arne Slot calls for Premier League rule change after Liverpool frustration - 'Why can't we?'

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has called for clubs to be allowed to select bigger matchday squads in England. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only player unavailable for Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg clash against Tottenham on Thursday, meaning Slot will be forced to leave some senior players out of his squad. Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa were unlucky to miss out for the 2-0 win over Bournemouth and Slot has questioned why English clubs are only permitted to name 20 players in their matchday squad when most other European clubs are allowed to pick 23 players, including in the Netherlands where Slot is from.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's clash with Spurs, Slot said: "That is one of the only things I don't understand here in England. Everywhere around the world, and in Europe as well when we play Champions League, we can take 23 players to the game and we are here in a country where we play the most games – especially the likes of Aston Villa, us, Arsenal, Chelsea, all the ones that are playing in Europe – and we have the League Cup over here and we have the FA Cup.

"So, we play so, so many games, so if you are able to play all these games you need a big squad. That seems fair to me and then one of the things that is so important for a manager, so to pick the first XI is difficult, to tell someone that he is not even in the squad makes it even harder. "So, I don't understand why we don't go to 23 in this country because this country plays the most games everywhere around the world and we only have 20 players that we can take to the games.

"So, it's not for that game, because nine substitutes are more than enough, but to keep the dressing room going because you need more than 20 players in this country because we play so many games. "Do you then understand what I mean? So, it's not for this one game, it's for a team like us or Arsenal or ones that play in Europe you need more than 20 players, so why can't we bring 23 players to the game instead of 20?.

"But since it is the rule over here that is probably going to be the most difficult decision I have to make – not the first XI, but to leave someone out that worked so hard on a daily basis, that wants to be involved in the game as well. Not even taking him to the game, that's the hardest decision for me to make.". Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.