Injuries and Absences:
Defender Joe Gomez and midfielder Tyler Morton remain sidelined due to surgery recoveries—Gomez for a hamstring issue and Morton for a shoulder injury. Full-back Conor Bradley will also miss the next few weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during last month’s match against Aston Villa.
Additionally, young defender Amara Nallo is suspended after receiving a red card during his debut against PSV Eindhoven in January, which rules him out of the round-of-16 clash. However, since Nallo has had limited involvement with the senior squad, his absence is not expected to influence tactical decisions.
Disciplinary Concerns:
Liverpool also faces the risk of more suspensions, with four key players— Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott, and Alexis Mac Allister—one booking away from missing the second leg at Anfield. Mac Allister, who has already served a suspension in the tournament, would face another ban if he picks up a fourth yellow card.
Moreover, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Luis Díaz, Kostas Tsimikas, and Darwin Núñez are each on one yellow card. If any of them receive two more before the quarter-finals, they will also face a suspension.
Coaching Staff Update:
While Liverpool faces these player absences, their coaching staff remains eligible to lead the team in Paris. Despite serving a two-game suspension in the Premier League due to incidents during last month’s 2-2 draw against Everton, Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff can still coach in Champions League matches.
Conclusion:
With multiple injuries and potential suspensions, Liverpool must tread carefully in this important Champions League match. The absence of key players makes the challenge against PSG even tougher, but the team will aim to overcome these obstacles and secure a positive result ahead of the return leg at Anfield.
