Paris, France – Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a bombshell ahead of the Reds’ crucial Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Parc des Princes. The Dutch tactician confirmed that his squad could be without as many as seven key players due to a combination of injuries, suspensions, and looming disciplinary concerns, casting a shadow over their European ambitions.
Despite having a weekend off after an early FA Cup exit, Liverpool’s injury list has continued to grow. Defenders Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton are sidelined long-term following surgeries for hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively. Young full-back Conor Bradley is also ruled out for several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury last month during a match against Aston Villa. Additionally, the Reds will be without Amara Nallo for the PSG clash, as the young defender serves a suspension following a red card in his debut against PSV Eindhoven in January.
Beyond the confirmed absences, Liverpool face further complications with disciplinary issues that could affect their lineup for the second leg at Anfield. According to recent posts on X, Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson, and Harvey Elliott are all on the brink of a Champions League ban, each having accumulated two yellow cards in the competition this season. A single additional booking would see them miss the return leg. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is also at risk; the Argentine, who already served a one-match ban earlier in the group stage, has now received four yellow cards in the Champions League. Under UEFA rules, a player faces a one-match suspension after receiving three yellow cards (without a red card) and for every odd-numbered caution thereafter.
Slot addressed these challenges in a pre-match press conference, expressing frustration at the mounting absences while remaining defiant about his team’s prospects. “We’re missing seven stars between injuries, suspensions, and players walking a disciplinary tightrope,” Slot revealed. “It’s a tough situation—Joe, Tyler, and Conor are out, Amara is suspended, and we have Ibrahima, Andy, Harvey, and Alexis all one card away from a ban. But this is football. We have to adapt, and the players stepping in are ready to fight for the badge. We’re here to compete, no matter the obstacles.”
Adding to the disciplinary concerns, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Luis Díaz, Kostas Tsimikas, and Darwin Núñez have each received one yellow card in the Champions League this season, meaning they too could face suspensions if they accumulate two more bookings before the quarter-finals conclude. UEFA’s rule of resetting yellow cards only after the quarter-final stage leaves these players needing to tread carefully over the next four matches to avoid missing key games.
On a positive note, Liverpool welcome back Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff to the touchline for this European fixture. The duo completed a two-match Premier League ban for misconduct toward a referee following a controversial 2-2 draw with Everton last month, which saw Slot and Hulshoff criticized for their post-match comments. While their domestic suspension kept them out of recent league action, they are eligible to manage the team in the Champions League, providing a much-needed boost as Liverpool face a formidable PSG side.
The Reds’ squad depth will be tested in Paris, with Slot likely to rely on players like Jarell Quansah or Kostas Tsimikas to fill the gaps in defense, while youngsters like Harvey Elliott may need to step up in midfield. Despite the challenges, Slot’s determination to adapt and his return to the dugout offer hope as Liverpool aim to take a crucial step toward the Champions League quarter-finals. Fans will be watching closely to see how Liverpool navigate this crisis against a star-studded PSG squad.