Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool head into the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against PSG on Wednesday with three players at risk of suspension, including captain Virgil van Dijk.
Under UEFA rules, any player who picks up more than two yellow cards in the competition (without being sent off) receives a one-match ban, with the count resetting only at the semi-final stage.
The Premier League champions currently have four players with two yellow cards this season, though Conor Bradley is already ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
If Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones receive a booking, they will miss the second leg. No Liverpool player has made more appearances than Virgil van Dijk this season. He, however, struggled against Erling Haaland in last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are likely to partner him in Arne Slot’s defence, and having all three available for the second leg will be vital.
Gravenberch is a key presence in midfield, while Jones was arguably Liverpool’s standout performer during the Etihad defeat. PSG also have players at risk, with left-back Nuno Mendes and star forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on two bookings.
Liverpool at least head to Paris with no new fitness concerns. Mohamed Salah, Federico Chiesa, and Jeremie Frimpong have all returned from injury, while Alexander Isak is now available and will start from the bench.
Alisson Becker could miss the remainder of April with an unspecified injury, while Conor Bradley (knee), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), and Wataru Endo (ankle) are sidelined for the season.
France international Bradley Barcola is also unavailable as he recovers from an ankle sprain. Fabian Ruiz (knee) and teenager Quentin Ndjantou (unspecified) remain out.
Speaking ahead of the game, Luis Enrique said: “We’re going to try to have the ball more than Liverpool, a very good team with quality players and a very good coach.
“It’ll be difficult. In the quarter-finals, it’s naturally a special game, because there are just eight teams. When you start to get used to being at this level, it’s great as a team.
“It’s of course positive to be able to show it against Liverpool. What we want is to qualify. We’re aware of the difficulty but we’re motivated. We want to enjoy playing at the Parc.”
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