By Sohaib Shams
Gary Neville has described a new Premier League injury rule as "absolute nonsense" after Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez was forced to leave the pitch for a minute following a head clash with Arsenal's Kai Havertz during Sunday's match at Anfield.
Rule forces Kerkez off despite no treatment needed
The collision occurred with Liverpool trailing 1-0 and 20 minutes remaining. Referee Andy Madley stopped play and, under a rule introduced this season designed to deter time-wasting, required Kerkez to spend a minute on the touchline even though the Hungarian left-back got to his feet without needing medical attention. The rule left Liverpool a man down during a period of Arsenal pressure.
Neville warns rule could decide a big game
"It's absolute nonsense," Neville said. "It'll cost a team in a big game at some point." The former Manchester United defender added that the situation was a "joke" as Liverpool were forced to deploy substitute Dominik Szoboszlai at left-back while Kerkez waited to return. Kerkez was eventually replaced by Kostas Tsimikas in the 81st minute.
