- Virgil van Dijk is looking at a potential ban by UEFA
- Liverpool blow looms ahead of Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain
- Reds lock horns with reigning European champions at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is among three key players at risk where they could miss the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie with Paris Saint Germain due to a ban.
Things are a bit too gloomy on the red side of Merseyside these days. The Anfield outfit have gone from the Premier League champions to a team devoid of motivation or identity.
All is not lost, though, as Liverpool still have the Champions League to play for, while finishing in the top five in the Premier League remains the priority.
Arne Slot’s men are preparing to lock horns with PSG in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, 8 April.
They make the trip to the French capital on the back of an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, 4 April.
Although the signs are not positive, Liverpool fans are hoping that the title-winning team will turn up in Paris.
Van Dijk risks UEFA suspension
Fingers have been pointed in all directions. Richard Hughes has received flak for his poor squad planning, in hindsight. So have Slot, whose tactics have left a lot to be desired this term.
Players are not exempt from criticism either, with Mohamed Salah among those questioned for his performances.
Van Dijk has also displayed worrying signs this season. The defender, who once went 65 games without being dribbled past, has conceded four penalties this campaign.
That is as much as he did in his first eight years at Liverpool, which accounts for 319 appearances across all competitions.
The Netherlands international had a game to forget against Manchester City at the weekend after conceding a cheap penalty and allowing Erling Haaland to put the hosts in front.
Van Dijk will have to bring his A game to France if Liverpool are to have any chance of causing an upset over PSG on Wednesday.
However, that will be complicated by the fact that he is running a suspension tightrope in the Champions League.
The 34-year-old is on two yellow cards in the European competition, meaning he will receive a one-match ban if he is cautioned one more time.
UEFA’s rules state that any player who picks up three yellow cards before the semi-finals will have to serve a one-game suspension.
Van Dijk would, therefore, miss the return leg against PSG at Anfield next Tuesday (14 April) if he is booked on Wednesday.
Two other Liverpool players face ban threat
Apart from Van Dijk, three other Liverpool players are on two yellow cards in the Champions League.
However, one of them is Conor Bradley, and it will not matter, as the right-back is ruled out for the rest of the season due to an injury.
Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones, though, need to think twice before committing fouls against Luis Enrique’s men.
As for PSG, Nuno Mendes and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are facing the risk. Over to you, Salah.
