Liverpool suffered a setback in the Premier League title race, losing to Manchester City before the international break.
The result was compounded by leaders Arsenal drawing away at Sunderland which leaves the reigning champions eight points off the summit, though there is still a long way to go.
That said, the Reds need to string together a run of victories if they’re to have any realistic hopes of retaining their Premier League crown.
Now that the final international break of the year is out of the way, Arne Slot will hope his side can build some momentum, starting with the league game at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
With the Gunners not in action until Sunday - facing Tottenham in the North London Derby - Liverpool have the chance to close the gap on the leaders, albeit potentially for 24 hours.
Key to an upturn in results will be a near fully fit squad and the Merseyside giants are on course for that with Alexander Isak fit again and Alisson Becker expected to return at the weekend.
This just leaves Slot needing to have a word with several players who are facing the risk of suspensions in the coming weeks.
Which Liverpool players are close to a suspension?
Players who pick up five yellow cards in the first 19 Premier League matches of the season will receive a one-match ban. The threshold for a suspension after that point in the campaign is raised to 10 bookings after 32 matches.
Liverpool have received 23 bookings in 11 league matches so far, which is joint-fourth worst record across the entire division. Though, they are one of 12 clubs to have not had a player sent off as Hugo Ekitike saw red in the Carabao Cup tie against Southampton.
The Reds do not have anyone serving a ban for this weekend’s game at home to Forest and the match against Leeds on New Year’s Day is the final game in which suspensions will be handed out for a fifth yellow card.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley are each only one yellow card away from a suspension. If either or both are booked on Saturday they will miss the game against West Ham on November 30.
This scenario would be a concern for Slot given both players have operated at right-back this season and Jeremie Frimpong is currently sidelined.
Meanwhile, summer signing Milos Kerkez is on three yellow cards and needs to watch his step if he’s able to reclaim the left-back spot from Andy Robertson.
Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate have more breathing room on two yellow cards, while Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa and Curtis Jones are on one yellow card.
Four yellow cards: Dominik Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley
Three yellow cards: Milos Kerkez
Two yellow cards: Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate
