Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions could be in serious jeopardy as they prepare to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the round-of-16. With injuries piling up and UEFA’s disciplinary rules threatening to sideline multiple key players, the Reds could be facing a nightmare scenario.
As it stands, Liverpool will be without at least four players for the trip to Paris. Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton remain long-term absentees after undergoing surgery for hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively. Meanwhile, young full-back Conor Bradley has been ruled out for several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa last month.
To make matters worse, Amara Nallo is also unavailable as he serves a suspension following his red card during his Liverpool debut against PSV Eindhoven in January. While the youngster was unlikely to feature in such a high-stakes match, his absence still adds to Liverpool’s growing list of unavailable players.
But the real crisis Liverpool face is the looming threat of suspensions that could cripple their squad for the all-important second leg at Anfield. Four key players— Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott, and Alexis Mac Allister—are all one booking away from being suspended for the return fixture.
Konaté, Robertson, and Elliott have all been booked twice in this season’s Champions League campaign, meaning another yellow card in Paris would rule them out of the second leg. Mac Allister, meanwhile, has already served a one-game suspension in the league phase and is at risk of another after accumulating four bookings in total.
And it doesn’t stop there. Liverpool’s defensive leader Virgil van Dijk, as well as Ryan Gravenberch, Luis Díaz, Kostas Tsimikas, and Darwin Núñez, have all been booked once in this season’s tournament. If any of them pick up two more yellow cards before the end of the quarter-finals, they too could face suspension.
With so many players walking a disciplinary tightrope, Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested to the limit in what is already set to be a fiercely competitive battle with PSG. The French giants, led by Kylian Mbappé, will be looking to capitalize on any weakness Liverpool show, and with the risk of suspensions hanging over their heads, the Reds will have to tread carefully.
However, there is one silver lining—manager Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff will be back on the touchline in Paris. The duo are still serving a two-match Premier League ban for their protests following Liverpool’s controversial 2-2 draw against Everton last month, but UEFA rules allow them to return for Champions League duties.
With the odds stacking up against them, can Liverpool navigate this crisis and come away from Paris with a strong result? Or will injuries and UEFA’s disciplinary crackdown leave them with an uphill battle at Anfield? One thing is certain—Liverpool cannot afford any more setbacks.
