Liverpool tonight take on Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with key players walking a suspension tightrope.
The Champions League is Liverpool’s last shot at silverware after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City, and face an almighty task to overturn last week’s 2-0 first-leg deficit.
By Arne Slot’s own admission, PSG could have caused far more damage last week in Paris, but Liverpool still have it all to do to avoid another elimination at the hands of French football’s finest.
While looking to score at least twice in front of their own fans, three players are one yellow card away from missing a semi-final second leg.
Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are all one yellow card away from serving a one-game suspension, having picked up two yellow cards in the Champions League this season.
Jones is an injury doubt for the game, having been forced off against Fulham at the weekend, while Conor Bradley is also on two yellow cards but has been sidelined since January.
It leaves captain Van Dijk and key midfielder Gravenberch to be on their best behaviour at Anfield.
UEFA regulations state that all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals, so Van Dijk and Gravenberch would have a clean slate if they avoid a booking at Anfield.
PSG, meanwhile, have two players at risk of suspension, with Nuno Mendes and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia having each picked up two yellow cards and could also miss a potential semi-final first leg.
