Liverpool have had some trouble with players and staff being suspended over recent matches.
The Reds have mounting injury problems as it is, without the problem of added unavailability on top of that.
But, unfortunately, cautions also add up, meaning that the Liverpool squad has been extra depleted over the last two or three games.
Alexis Mac Allister is set to return against Southampton on Wednesday night after serving two suspensions in two separate competitions.
His place out of the matchday squad has been taken by Curtis Jones, who’s yellow card during Liverpool’s weekend draw with Fulham means that he won’t take part at St Mary’s.
Head coach Arne Slot also won’t be present, with the Liverpool coaching staff set to split duties during the Carabao Cup tie. And as the Reds aim to reach the semi-final, they’ll have to be wary of two players who are one yellow card away from a ban.
Wataru Endo of Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stad...
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah walking a tightrope
Although he’ll have to watch the actual match from the stands, Slot will still be involved with the selecting of Liverpool’s XI against Southampton.
With so many availability issues at the moment, it’s going to be fascinating to see who the Liverpool head coach picks.
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Defence is the main issue, with only four first-team players currently fit and ready to play.
And as per liverpoolfc.com, one of those players, Jarell Quansah, will miss the next round of the Carabao Cup if he picks up a booking at St Mary’s.
READ MORE: Arne Slot says he might do something ‘nobody would expect’ with his starting XI against Southampton
Quansah looks set to play at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in need of protection ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham.
The lack of options at right-back may also lead to an out-of-position start for Wataru Endo. Whether it’s in defence or midfield, Endo will surely play against Southampton, but the Japan captain is another who is one yellow card away from a ban.
Liverpool must stay clean at Southampton
Although it’s good news that the yellow cards here only count for Carabao Cup matches, it’s still crucial that Quansah and Endo avoid a booking on Wednesday.
Neither player has been in Slot’s regular starting XI in the Premier League or Champions League this season, but both have been key to the Carabao Cup.
Should they be banned for the first leg of the semi-final in January, it will put added pressure on other members of the Liverpool squad to jump in.
Given that Endo in particular has only really played in the League Cup this campaign, it would also rob him of guaranteed minutes that he could really do with.
Of course, it may be that Liverpool’s Carabao journey ends on Wednesday at St Mary’s, in which case this will become a moot point. But these two players must do their best to stay out of the referee’s book either way.
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