Liverpool will be without Darwin Nunez for its next Premier League game against Nottingham Forest after the striker was booked against Manchester United.

That was Nunez's fifth Premier League yellow card of the season, which results in an automatic one-match ban. The Uruguayan was cautioned for backing into Matthijs de Ligt in the second period, just 17 minutes after he was introduced from the bench.

A needless booking, the incident will likely frustrate Arne Slot, who will be without Nunez for the top-of-the-table clash in nine days' time at the City Ground. Forest is currently third in the table but could move level on points with second-place Arsenal should it beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.

READ MORE: Luis Diaz makes decision on Liverpool future amid Barcelona transfer interest

READ MORE: Liverpool condition on selling Darwin Nunez in January transfer window with bid incoming

• Liverpool condition on selling Darwin Nunez in January transfer window with bid incoming

• Virgil van Dijk fumes at Liverpool teammate as Arne Slot proven right - 5 talking points vs Man Utd

Nuno Espirito Santo's side also inflicted the only defeat so far of the Slot era, when the Midlands club won 1-0 at Anfield in August.

The Forest match will be Liverpool's 20th of the Premier League season and the first after the cut-off for automatic one-match bans for receiving five yellow cards. That deadline has already passed for most sides but with the postponement of the Merseyside derby last month, it means Liverpool has played one game fewer at this stage and the cut-off occurs after the United match.

That's a blessing for Ibrahima Konate and Cody Gakpo, both of whom were on four bookings so far this season.

The Reds will head into that game just six points clear of Arsenal (with a game in hand) having spurned the chance to move eight ahead on Sunday. A surprise 2-2 draw against United meant Liverpool failed to capitalize on Arsenal's dropped points the previous day at Brighton & Hove Albion.

As for Nunez, the 25-year-old has dropped down the pecking order under Slot after making more appearances last season than any other member in the squad. But an underwhelming campaign has seen Nunez score just four goals from 24 matches and he has tended to be utilized as a back-up player.

The ex-Benfica man has been linked with a move to AC Milan in recent weeks, and given Liverpool's attacking options a transfer does seem possible.