Dominik Szoboszlai is now at risk of a one-match suspension in the Premier League, with the midfielder at the threshold after two cautions across his last three games.
If there is one player Arne Slot will not want to be without, it is Szoboszlai, such is his form, versatility and work ethic.
The Hungarian has started and played the full 90 minutes in 17 of the 19 games to date, and is one of the only shining lights in an otherwise torrid campaign.
Szoboszlai one yellow card away from suspension
However, if Liverpool’s No. 8 is shown a yellow card by referee Darren England against West Ham on Sunday, he will be suspended for the visit of Sunderland in midweek.
He successfully walked the suspension tightrope against Nottingham Forest after bookings against Everton, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Man City.
But if he were to avoid a one-match ban altogether, he would have to go the next seven games without picking up a booking, thus it feels inevitable.
Premier League rules state that any player who earns five bookings from their side’s first 19 league matches of a season will have to serve a one-match ban in the same competition.
Players who then accumulate 10 yellow cards up to and including their side’s 32nd fixture will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.
Szoboszlai is irreplaceable for Slot and will need to stay under England’s radar on Sunday.
Referee for West Ham vs. Liverpool
England, who was in the VAR booth for that calamitous call at Tottenham, has been appointed as the referee at the London Stadium, with Scott Ledger and Akil Howson assisting him on the sidelines.
Andrew Kitchen will act as the fourth official, while VAR will be operated by Paul Tierney, with Nick Hopton his assistant.
England’s last match in charge of Liverpool was the 2-1 win in the Merseyside derby. Believe it or not, Slot’s side have won only one league game since that September 20 meeting.