Two key Liverpool players at risk of missing last-16 match as Reds prepare for PSV in the Champions League

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Liverpool have the chance to wrap up the first ever League Phase of the Champions League with eight wins out of eight.

It was hard to know what to expect of the new format this season, with the Reds facing eight tricky looking games on paper.

However, after blitzing to headline wins over Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, Liverpool are certain to bypass the play-off round of the competition and head straight into the last-16.

The only question that remains is whether Liverpool will finish top of the pile, or runners-up to Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

A point will be enough for Arne Slot’s Reds to claim top spot, and – as fate would have it – they travel back to the head coach’s homeland to face PSV Eindhoven on matchday eight.

Slot is expected to rotate the Liverpool squad with an eye on Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth. And, with players walking a disciplinary tightrope, the Dutchman is going to have to factor two potential suspensions into the mix, too.

Liverpool pair at risk of Champions League suspension

It is a novelty for Liverpool to be playing Champions League football in January. Ordinarily, the competition would end in December and begin up again in February.

This time, things are different. And with the play-off round in between, Liverpool’s next European game after Wednesday will come at the start of March.

Suspensions from the League Phase will carry through into the knockouts, and with that in mind, liverpoolfc.com detail who needs to be careful in Eindhoven.

Thankfully, only two Liverpool players need to watch their step, but they are an important two for Slot.

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Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister are both certain starters for the Reds week-in, week-out.

However, the centre-back and the central midfielder are both one booking away from missing the first-leg of Liverpool’s last-16 clash in March.

Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister set for rest

Even without the news of a potential suspension, it’s probable that Slot was planning to rest Konate and Mac Allister anyway.

Konate is still working his way back from injury and having played 90 minutes on Saturday, needs to be managed carefully.

As for Mac Allister, his place is a little more murky. Curtis Jones’ injury and the more pressing need to rest Ryan Gravenberch means that there are places up for grabs in the Liverpool midfield.

However, the Reds badly need Mac Allister for when the knockouts start and he should not be risked regardless.

Instead, there’s surely a chance for Wataru Endo, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott other candidates for Slot.