Liverpool Face Suspension Concerns as UEFA Rules Put Van Dijk and Others at Risk

Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones are all at risk of suspension as Liverpool prepare for their crucial UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Galatasaray.

Liverpool’s inconsistent European campaign was highlighted in the first leg, where they suffered a 1–0 defeat in Istanbul—marking their second loss to the Turkish side this season. Victor Osimhen also had a second-half goal disallowed, a moment that could have further complicated the Reds’ task of progressing.

Despite the setback, Liverpool will look to capitalise on home advantage at Anfield as they aim to overturn the deficit and set up a quarter-final meeting with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, in what would be a repeat of last season’s round-of-16 encounter.

However, disciplinary concerns loom large. Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Jones are each one booking away from suspension, meaning any caution in the second leg would rule them out of a potential quarter-final first leg should Arne Slot’s side advance.

Under UEFA regulations, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after accumulating three yellow cards—provided they have not resulted in a red card—as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered bookings (fifth, seventh, ninth, and so on).

Van Dijk received his first caution in a 4–1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on matchday five, before picking up another booking in the first leg against Galatasaray. Gravenberch was also cautioned in Istanbul, with both of his yellow cards in the competition coming against the same opposition.

Jones, meanwhile, has been booked in matches against Galatasaray and Inter Milan.

With yellow cards not wiped until after the quarter-final stage, the trio must remain cautious over the coming fixtures to avoid suspension.

Elsewhere, Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister each head into the decisive encounter carrying one yellow card.