Arne Slot could be without key Liverpool player for Premier League title clash with Man City

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is walking a disciplinary tightrope in the Premier League as the Reds welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Saturday. Arne Slot's side are looking to maintain top spot in England's top-flight ahead of another international break next week.

The Reds face a trip to Southampton upon the resumption of competitive action before their showdown with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Under the new head coach, Liverpool have surprised many and moved into a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League, following defeats for title rivals City and Arsenal last weekend.

Liverpool face another tough test this weekend in the form of the Champions League hopefuls. Villa have enjoyed success under Unai Emery since he replaced Reds icon Steven Gerrard, qualifying for the elite European competition last season and enjoying an unbeaten start.

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Mac Allister is currently on four yellow cards, one away from a one-match suspension. Should he receive a booking at Anfield this weekend, he will be suspended for the trip to St Mary's on November 24 but would return in time for the showdown against Man City to kick off December.

The cut off point for a player who receives five yellow cards is the 19th fixture of the Premier League campaign, leaving the Argentinian international another eight games of jeopardy. If a player is booked 10 times across their first 32 Premier League matches, they will be suspended for two games.

Liverpool take on Newcastle United, city rivals Everton, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City before ending the calendar year against West Ham United - the final cut-off point for yellow cards.

Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai are also treading closely to the risk of suspension after both being booked three times in the opening 10 Premier League matches. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez have all been cautioned twice.

Mac Allister has been ever present in the top-flight for Slot's side so far this season, the 25-year-old has started in nine of the Premier League outings so far - coming off the bench against Chelsea, the only game he hasn't started when Curtis Jones deputised in his place.