Liverpool cleared after ‘fourth sub window’ storm in fiery Merseyside derby

Liverpool edged a breathless first Merseyside derby at Everton’s new home with late drama and even later debate. Mohamed Salah struck first, Beto levelled, and Virgil van Dijk rose to nod the winner, sending the visitors eight points clear of their neighbours and tightening their grip on the Champions League places ahead of Chelsea. Cue the post-match inquest.

The ‘fourth window’ furore

After the final whistle, social media lit up. There were grumbles about cards that didn’t come and a first-half penalty shout waved away, but the main storm centred on substitutions. The accusation? Liverpool stopped the game on four separate occasions to get their changes on, which—on the face of it—would breach Premier League regulations that limit teams to three stoppages for making up to five subs.

The law, plain and simple

Here’s the key bit: clubs can make five substitutions, but only during a maximum of three “opportunities” in open play. Half-time doesn’t count towards those three. You can swap multiple players in a single stoppage, and it’s still just one window. Crucially, if the ball hasn’t gone live again between changes, it remains the same substitution opportunity. An extra stoppage is only granted for a concussion substitution.

What actually happened

Early doors, there was an enforced goalkeeper change due to injury—that’s one window used. A little later came a second window for a like-for-like up top. So far, so straightforward.

Late on, things looked messier. Liverpool made what appeared to be a double change, then shortly after switched a third player. But here’s the detail many missed: during that entire spell, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite was down receiving lengthy treatment and was ultimately stretchered off. The referee did not restart play between Liverpool’s late alterations. Because the ball never went live in between, those late moves counted as a single substitution opportunity. Tot it up and you’ve got three windows in total—well within the rules.

Pundit’s verdict

The optics were scruffy, the law is crystal. Fans are entitled to ask the question—especially after a derby served piping hot—but by the letter of the law the officials handled it correctly and Liverpool did nothing wrong. Sometimes it’s not a conspiracy; it’s just a long stoppage and a bit of touchline admin.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Premier League rules were broken. And if you’re weighing up form, goals and odds after that thriller, our hub for the best betting sites has you covered.