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Liverpool fans will need to familiarize themselves with three new rule changes ahead of the new Premier League season, following confirmation of some significant adjustments.
The groundwork for the upcoming campaign is already in full swing. All 20 Premier League clubs are set to kick off their seasons within the next week, with reigning champion Liverpool launching the new season on Friday as it hosts Bournemouth at Anfield.
Preseason friendlies and transfers have been top priorities as the season looms. While this trend is expected to continue, with the transfer window remaining open for another three weeks, efforts have also been directed toward understanding the new game laws.
The Premier League has unveiled three major tweaks that both managers and players will need to get to grips with. But what exactly has changed? Here's the answer...
Goalkeepers time wasting
The era of goalkeepers merely holding onto the ball to run down the clock at the end of a match is over. There used to be a rule where goalkeepers had a six-second time limit to release the ball, failing which an indirect free kick would be awarded - although it was seldom enforced.
However, the Premier League has toughened its stance. The time limit has been extended to eight seconds, but referees will now caution goalkeepers with a five-second countdown.
If they fail to release the ball before the timer runs out, a corner will be awarded to the opposing team. This news will likely please Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who last season voiced his frustration over the amount of time-wasting tactics used against his side.
Slot said: "Teams got to know us better and tried to find answers to our playing style. But one of the things you cannot do anything about is that tactics are being used that have nothing to do with football.
"Delaying the start of the game, pretending you are injured, taking one minute for a free-kick, one minute for a throw-in. That is my main worry. Every time we drop points, that happened... goalkeepers taking one and a half minutes. When we have dropped points, that tactic was used. I like to say it now after us winning the league, not losing a game."
Referees speaking to captains
The Premier League has tightened its rules on player-referee interactions this season, with only team captains now permitted to approach officials during matches.
Referees can caution players who approach them without permission or display disrespectful behavior. If a team's captain is their goalkeeper, an alternative player can be designated before the match begins.
IFAB has proposed that this initiative is recommended but not obligatory, although the Premier League has opted to implement it. The approach was tested in UEFA competitions last season.
Double-touch penalties
The final rule pertains to penalties, specifically when a player touches the ball twice during a penalty kick. If a player scores a penalty and inadvertently touches the ball twice, the referee would order a retake.
However, the kick must be clearly unintentional for this rule to apply. If the player misses, then the defending team would be awarded an indirect free kick.
Former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez slipped while taking a penalty against Real Madrid last season, but due to the previous rule, it was not retaken. The new law has already been applied at the Women's Euros as Beth Mead slipped and touched the ball twice while scoring.
She was instructed to retake the penalty, but her second attempt was saved by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll.
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