Suspension concerns sweating Liverpool and other top PL clubs: Exclusive

Top clubs in the PL including Liverpool are concerned about suspensions over yellow cards as the New Year approaches.

The PL is at an interesting point right on the Christmas holiday as the battle for the top 4 has been pretty exciting. Arsenal tops the league table after the draw on Saturday against Liverpool with 40 points after gameweek 18.

In the 2nd position, the Reds still trail behind the table-toppers by 1 point even after sharing a point with the Gunners over the weekend.

They currently have the same point (39) as Aston Villa, who are 3rd in the points table due to goal difference.

Sitting in 4th position are Tottenham Hotspurs with 36 points after the same amount of games played. Manchester City are in 5th place with 34 points, however, they are yet to play their match of gameweek 18, which got postponed due to the Christmas holiday.

The race for the PL title is going to be even crazier in the New Year, considering the fact that the clubs will be adding new players for an extra boost. However, there is one common issue that is concerning the top clubs.

PL clubs including Liverpool fear yellow card suspensions

A certain Premier League rule states that if a player receives 5 yellow cards in a season, he will be suspended for one match.

Furthermore, if a player receives 10 yellow cards in a season, he will be suspended for two consecutive matches.

Because of this rule, several PL clubs are on the verge of losing players due to suspension prior to the New Year.

Players with four yellow cards are in grave danger before the first half of the season ends by the winter transfer window.

The 19th matchday of the 2023-24 season begins on Boxing Day with 5 games across the first day.

The matches are Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United vs Luton Town, Bournemouth vs Fulham, Burnley vs Liverpool and Manchester United vs Aston Villa.

The 3 games on the day after will be Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Brentford vs Wolves, and Everton vs Manchester City.

The final two games of this gameweek, Brighton vs Tottenham and Arsenal vs West Ham will be on December 28.

Top clubs’ concern

Having a solid and intact squad at this moment in time will help every manager and team. The title race is pretty intense now with only 4 points separating the 1st and the 4th.

The Anfield giants, despite being 2nd, will be trying to do their best to regain the 1st position in the PL points table. But the suspension threat is alarming for them as well.

Wataru Endo is on 4 yellow cards after he received one against Arsenal and is under threat if he commits too many fouls against Burnley. He could be missing the Newcastle game on New Year’s Day if he receives his 5th.

Jurgen Klopp is already missing Alexis Mac Allister due to injury who has been the first-choice in the deeper midfield role.

With Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic sidelined due to long-term injury, the Japanese international should be careful about any harsh foul or dissent.

Darwin Nunez is also on 4 yellows and will be appearing in the Burnley game. His aggressive manner could become a problem if he does not hold back.

Arsenal’s Ben White is also on the verge of getting suspended for one match as they will be facing West Ham United. His potential 5th could lead to him missing the game against Fulham on New Year’s Eve.

Tottenham meanwhile have three – Cristian Romero, Pape Matar Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski – at risk of a ban when they face Everton.

Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey are the ones who will also have to be on their toes to avoid another yellow (stats via Transfermarkt).

Despite all of these precautions, the teams and the players will be getting onto the field to give their 100% and will receive a card or two if the situation calls for it.

Sohom Chatterjee

An ardent football fan and a proud Red. I take immense pleasure in analyzing the intricacies of the game.