Liverpool has witnessed a surge in red cards this season, yet a different story unfolds when it comes to yellow cards. The team has accumulated 15 yellow cards so far, fewer than many other Premier League clubs. The top teams committing more fouls, such as AFC Bournemouth, Everton, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace, have all received more yellow cards than Liverpool.
This season, Liverpool has suffered three suspensions due to red cards, and now one of their players is at risk of serving a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. A player in the Premier League who accumulates five yellow cards during a club’s first 19 games of the season is automatically suspended for one match.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool FC at American Express Community Stadium
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister are the players in Liverpool’s squad who have received multiple yellow cards in the Premier League this season.
Alexander-Arnold has been booked twice and can afford to receive three more yellow cards up to Liverpool’s match against Burnley on Boxing Day before facing a suspension. Considering the nature of his bookings (time-wasting and ball-throwing), the situation doesn’t appear dire.
Mac Allister has received three yellow cards and has to carefully navigate the next 11 matches with only one ‘free pass’ before risking a suspension. With Mac Allister primarily employed as a holding midfielder, his suspension in the first half of the season seems likely.
A potential absence would present an unwelcome dilemma for Liverpool, as Mac Allister is currently their preferred choice as a holding midfielder, despite it not being his natural position.
Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara are currently sidelined, Wataru Endo is still adapting to English football, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is the primary right-back. Mac Allister’s absence would underscore Liverpool’s vulnerability in that position after the summer departure of Fabinho and place additional scrutiny on the World Cup winner as he continues to operate in an unfamiliar role.
Klopp will hope that Mac Allister avoids his fifth booking until after the Brentford or Crystal Palace matches to ensure he’s available for Liverpool’s subsequent key fixtures against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal.
The Reds recently had Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota sent off in a match against Tottenham, leading to disciplinary issues and a £25,000 fine. Jones still has two matches left in his suspension, while Jota has completed his one-game ban. Virgil van Dijk also served a two-match suspension earlier in the season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister are the players in Liverpool’s squad who have accumulated multiple yellow cards. Jota, who has been sent off for two bookable offenses, is essentially on one yellow card.
The situation has become a concern for manager Jurgen Klopp, as one more yellow card for Alexander-Arnold could result in a one-match ban. For Mac Allister, who already has three yellow cards, a suspension is looming unless he navigates 11 more matches without receiving another booking.
Mac Allister’s potential suspension could create a challenge for Liverpool, as he is the primary option as a holding midfielder, despite it not being his natural position.
Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Wataru Endo, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all unavailable or not ideal options for the role. Klopp will need to manage this situation carefully to avoid disruptions to the squad.
