Liverpool need a win at Anfield to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16, and Arne Slot would welcome not just victory but a strong, assured display to relieve the mounting pressure following a disappointing start to 2026.
The Reds have been one of the more disciplined sides in the competition this season. Only three of the other 35 teams involved have picked up fewer than Liverpool’s eight yellow cards going into the final league-phase matchday, according to WhoScored.
Champions League suspension rules
Under Article 63 of UEFA’s Champions League regulations, players and staff receive a one-match suspension if they collect three yellow cards before the end of the quarter-finals. All disciplinary records are then reset at that stage.
Further bans can also be imposed for any additional odd-numbered bookings after the third caution — for example, a fifth yellow card before the quarter-finals would result in another one-match suspension.
Currently, Curtis Jones and Conor Bradley are the only Liverpool players on multiple yellow cards, though Bradley’s situation is no longer relevant due to a serious injury that will rule him out for the remainder of the season.
Slot faces a selection dilemma
That leaves Jones as the sole Liverpool player currently at risk of suspension, presenting Slot with a tricky decision. Starting the 24-year-old could mean losing him for the first knockout match if he is booked, yet alternatives Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are also one caution away from trouble themselves.
If Liverpool had already secured a top-eight finish — as they had at this stage last season — Slot could afford to rest players carrying bookings. However, with qualification not yet assured and a win still required to avoid a two-legged play-off in February, the head coach is likely to name a strong starting XI.
The hope will be to build a commanding lead by around the hour mark, allowing Slot to make cautious substitutions and manage disciplinary risks. Once the league phase concludes tonight and the knockout bracket is confirmed, Liverpool will have a clearer picture of their path to the final — ideally without the looming threat of losing key players to suspension.
