Liverpool players huddle before kickoff during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK on 24 January 2026.
Liverpool players huddle before kickoff during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK on 24 January 2026.
The second international break of the season has arrived, with Liverpool heading into it in mixed form after a series of contrasting results.
Following defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce, Andoni Iraola’s side bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace to restore some confidence. The result leaves the Reds fourth in the Premier League with 18 points from their opening 10 matches.
The statistics from Iraola’s early spell at Anfield make for interesting reading, highlighting an attack yet to fully click and a defence that has shown both vulnerability and resilience.
The two-week break gives Iraola time to assess his team’s performances and address areas that need improvement ahead of a demanding run of fixtures leading into the busy festive period.
Squad rotation has been a major talking point this season, with the Liverpool manager balancing domestic commitments and the Champions League. Some of his decisions have paid off, while others, particularly against Fenerbahce, attracted criticism.
Injuries and limited depth in certain positions have complicated matters, while the threat of suspensions could create further selection headaches.
Alexis Mac Allister is currently Liverpool’s biggest suspension concern, having collected four yellow cards in the Premier League.
One more booking would trigger an automatic one-match ban. If he is cautioned against Manchester United in Liverpool’s next league fixture, he would miss the Merseyside derby against Everton.
Iraola must therefore find the right balance between allowing the Argentine to play his usual energetic game and ensuring he avoids an unnecessary suspension. Four other Liverpool players are also on three bookings – Ronald Araujo, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez and Bradley Barcola.
The defensive trio’s situation is particularly concerning, as further suspensions could leave Iraola without key members of his backline. Meanwhile, Barcola is still settling into life at Anfield, and missing additional minutes could disrupt his progress.
With nine league matches remaining before the yellow-card threshold increases from five to 10, Liverpool have a lengthy period to navigate the suspension threat.
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