Liverpool receive a timely boost ahead of clashes with Fulham and Arsenal thanks to Premier League rule change

 

 

Liverpool head into their Premier League clash with Fulham with a timely disciplinary boost, as one of their key players is no longer walking a suspension tightrope.

At the midway stage of the season, the Premier League’s yellow-card rules change. During the first 19 matches, any player who accumulates five bookings is automatically handed a one-match suspension. That rule previously affected the Reds, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley each reaching the limit and missing games against Wolves and Brighton respectively.

However, in the second half of the campaign, the threshold rises. Players must now receive 10 yellow cards by their 32nd league appearance to trigger a suspension, which would result in a two-match ban.

This rule change comes as welcome news for Liverpool, particularly for Ibrahima Konaté. The defender had been sitting on four yellow cards in recent matches, meaning he was one booking away from a ban. That risk has now passed, allowing him to play more freely in the upcoming fixtures.

Liverpool travel to Fulham on Sunday before facing a huge test away to league leaders Arsenal, and Konaté no longer has to worry about missing that clash due to suspension. Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Milos Kerkez will also feel more comfortable, having picked up only three bookings each so far this season.

That said, Szoboszlai and Bradley must still be cautious. If either player collects five yellow cards within the next 13 league games, they would be hit with a two-match suspension.

On the injury front, Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah (AFCON duty), Wataru Endo (ankle), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), as well as Stefan Bajčetić and Jayden Danns (both hamstring issues) for the Fulham trip. There is some positive news, though, with Joe Gomez expected to return to training and potentially rejoin the squad.

Head coach Arne Slot also confirmed that Florian Wirtz has been dealing with a hamstring problem, which forced him off in the 66th minute of the goalless draw against Leeds United on New Year’s Day.

Slot explained that the decision to substitute Wirtz was made to avoid unnecessary risk, especially with limited Premier League-experienced options available. He highlighted the importance of managing player workloads amid a relentless schedule, noting that keeping players fit and available was the priority.

Reflecting on the Leeds match, Slot took positives from the clean sheet, the squad coming through unscathed, and the fact that Konaté avoided another booking — ensuring he remains available for the crucial games ahead.