Two Liverpool players could miss Real Madrid clash as they walk tightrope vs Bayer Leverkusen

Liverpool has two players who are just one booking away from a suspension in the Champions League ahead of facing Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.

Arne Slot has all but four players available to select, with only Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa injured, but two key men will be walking a tightrope. If either Alexis Mac Allister or Ibrahima Konate pick up a booking, under UEFA regulations, they will be banned for the next fixture: Real Madrid.

Mac Allister was harshly booked for a supposed dive last time out against RB Leipzig. Konate, meanwhile, was cautioned against both AC Milan and Bologna in the opening two games of the campaign.

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Champions League rules stipulate that any player who gets three yellow cards in separate matches (i.e., not for two bookable offenses and then a caution) will be suspended for a game. Reaching five yellows brings a second one-match ban.

Konate went off injured against Brighton at the weekend but he is back in contention to start just a few days later after a scan confirmed there was no lasting damage. "I think completely recovered, so there’s no issue for him not to play because of what he had," Slot said during his pre-match press conference. "Then it is up to me to make the decision if he plays or not, but he’s in a good place."

Experienced Dutch official Danny Makkelie will be the man in the middle at Anfield. Liverpool is currently only one of two teams to have won three out of three in the Champions League this season, along with fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa.

Liverpool.com says: Losing either Konate or Mac Allister for Real Madrid would be far from ideal. Slot might have to think about that in the second half, assuming that both start. If Liverpool can get into a winning position, it wouldn't be a surprise for either to come off. Mac Allister, in fact, looked very tired at the weekend and might even benefit from a night off.