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Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Liverpool are set to be reminded of a strict rule they must adhere to by the Premier League following the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds suffered a fourth defeat in a row after Harry Maguire's winner but a new report from the Daily Mail claims that they are poised for discussions with the Premier League after multiple breaches of its multi-ball system.
Since 2022, the system sees balls placed on tees on different areas around the pitch.
Unlike previously, ball boys and girls are instructed to not hand balls over and instead merely put them on the tees for players to collect.
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This decision was announced in a move to speed up play and crack down on timewasting but on Sunday, as the Premier League champions desperately pushed for a late leveller, they went against the rules on a number of occasions.
The retrievers threw the ball back to players, while there was one instance where Arne Slot chucked it to one of his stars near to 90 minutes.
The regulations also apply to coaching staff and "eyes were raised" by United - though it is thought that no complaint was made.
However, there is precedent from the Premier League - although in different circumstances.
Aston Villa were fined £125,000 for repeated breaches in terms of the multi-ball system last season under Unai Emery.
The breaches, made in multiple games, related to protocol not being followed and balls being handed to players from attendants - instead of getting them from the cones.
In Villa's case, there were also extra balls deployed for when Villa players took corners - as well as a ball thrown onto the pitch when an opposition goalkeeper was preparing to take a goal kick with another ball.
They were banned from using the multi-ball system in their first three home games of the current campaign, finishing with a 3-1 victory over Fulham.
Clubs are required to adopt a multi-ball system at every league match and adherence to the relevant rules and guidance is of vital importance to maintain consistency and, crucially, to ensure that home clubs do not gain a competitive advantage through their misuse of the system," the Premier League said, as per the BBC.
"The club will pay a £125,000 fine and will be prohibited from operating the multi-ball system in its first three home league matches of the 2025/26 season."
Such a punishment is unlikely to come Liverpool's way, with the club potentially facing a reminder to stick to the expected protocol and not repeat offend going forward.