Liverpool suspension risks: Key star walking Premier League tightrope before Manchester United clash
Liverpool are in a good place as the season pauses for the final international break of the year.
Andoni Iraola's side bounced back from successive defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce to beat Crystal Palace at the weekend, a result that has lifted them into the top-four of the Premier League table.
The Reds have also picked up nine points from a possible 12 in the league phase of this season's Champions League, leaving them in a great position to qualify for the round of 16 stage.
Furthermore, a place in the Carabao Cup semi-final beckons should they overcome Iraola's former club Bournemouth at Anfield before Christmas.
For now though, the Spaniard will be hopeful that all of his international stars return from duty unscathed as a huge game greets Liverpool upon their return to Premier League action - the visit of Manchester United.
While United have been disappointing in the league this season, sitting in the relegation zone after failing to beat Aston Villa, the Reds were beaten in the corresponding fixture just over a year ago when Harry Maguire stunned Anfield with a late winner.
It remains to be seen if Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong will recover from injury to be available for selection against Man Utd, but one key Liverpool player will have to be careful if selected due to the looming threat of a ban.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the Liverpool players at risk of suspension.
Which Liverpool players are close to a suspension?
As every club have already been made fully aware of this season, players who pick up five yellow cards in the first 19 matches of the Premier League season are hit with a one-match ban.
Liverpool's cut-off point in which suspensions will be handed out for a fifth yellow card is the home game against Coventry on January 2, 2027.
From that point onwards, players who are booked 10 times in the first 32 matches of the campaign are suspended for two games.
Alexis Mac Allister is the big suspension concern for Liverpool at present. After being booked in the win over Crystal Palace, the Argentina international is only one yellow card away from a ban so must watch his step against United.
If booked against Man Utd, Mac Allister would be banned for the first Merseyside derby of the season away at Everton the following week.
Ultimately, the midfielder is walking the disciplinary tightrope for games against Man United, Everton, Sunderland, Chelsea, Leeds, Tottenham, Hull, Aston Villa and Coventry.
Ronald Araujo, Bradley Barcola, Milos Kerkez and Virgil van Dijk are on three yellow cards, while Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz are among a host of Liverpool players still in danger of being suspended.
Four yellow cards: Alexis Mac Allister
Three yellow cards: Ronald Araujo, Bradley Barcola, Milos Kerkez and Virgil van Dijk
Two yellow cards: Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz
