Premier League rule 'broke' by referee during Newcastle vs Liverpool as fans spot moment

A new Premier League rule appeared to be broken by a referee on the opening weekend during Newcastle vs Liverpool.

Despite being depleted in the summer and losing their best players and manager, Newcastle looked like they were about to get winning start at St James' Park on Sunday.

Anthony Elanga struck five minutes in, with Cody Gakpo levelling matters in the second half.

Joe Willock popped up with a stunning strike to put Newcastle in the lead again but Liverpool snatched a point in the sixth minute of stoppage time after Dominik Szoboszlai converted a late penalty.

But fans picked up on a newly introduced rule in the Premier League not being applied in the fixture.

Liverpool's 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha was replaced by summer signing Victor Munoz in the 63rd minute, while Florian Wirtz made way for Alexis Mac Allister.

However, the youngster was not in too much of a hurry to leave the pitch even with his side trailing.

In one of many additions, there is now a 10-second rule involving substitutions.

Players leaving the pitch must do so within that timeframe when substituted. If they do not do so, the player entering the pitch must wait one minute - meaning their team must play with a man less during that period.

Ngumoha took his time leaving the pitch, to the point that Gary Neville noticed on co-commentary for Sky Sports.

Neville was surprised when referee Stuart Attwell merely let Ngumoha go off and Munoz come on without a delay.

One fan on X wrote: "To the shock of no one. Rio is allowed to take more than 10 seconds to leave the field "Cant wait for that to be given against us shortly."

A second added: "Attwell allowing the RS to flagrantly break the new rule regarding substitutes & players having to leave field within 10 seconds... @PGMOL_FA it's started already."

A third commented: "So the whole you have 10 seconds to come off rule doesnt apply to Liverpool? who’d of guessed it."