Liverpool star in Premier League suspension concern already after missing matches

Ryan Gravenberch will need to tread lightly in the future, or he could cause problems for Liverpool later in the season. His performances may have helped the Reds to the top of the Premier League table, but it could come at a cost. Liverpool were without their Dutch star for the opening match against Bournemouth due to a suspension from last season. Gravenberch was sent off for denying Crystal Palace a clear scoring opportunity on the final day of the previous season by fouling Daichi Kamada.

In the match against Bournemouth, with Gravenberch absent, Arne Slot's team nearly squandered the win by conceding two counter-attack goals - something Gravenberch had proven adept at preventing after being repositioned as a defensive midfielder by Slot last year. He also missed the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace as his partner was giving birth.

He returned for the subsequent trip to Newcastle, scoring the first goal in Liverpool's 3-2 victory, and played a crucial role in narrowly defeating Arsenal at Anfield just over a week later.

However, both matches had their tense moments, and Gravenberch fell into traps set by the opposition.

In the Newcastle match, he received his first yellow card of the season just eight minutes after the start. With St. James' Park filled with emotional Magpies fans upset about Alexander Isak's then-pending transfer to Liverpool, the 23-year-old was drawn into a hard tackle on Bruno Guimaraes.

During a match against the Gunners, Gravenberch was seen cynically bringing down Riccardo Calafiori as he sprinted towards the Liverpool penalty area.

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With two yellow cards from just two games, the Dutch international will now be treading carefully until at least matchweek 19.

According to Football Association rules, a player must avoid accumulating five bookings before the halfway point in the Premier League season. If they do, they face a one-game suspension from domestic competitions.

Liverpool are back in action this weekend when they take on Burnley at Turf Moor. Despite being expected to defeat the newly-promoted side, a hostile away atmosphere could easily lead to an error.

Following that, Everton will visit Anfield for the first Merseyside derby of the season - a fixture that typically keeps referees busy.

Liverpool then take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park - a ground where they haven't won by more than a single goal since 2022. Either side of the international break, they face matches against Chelsea away and Manchester United at home.

Gravenberch will need to be on his best behaviour to avoid a potential suspension, particularly to ensure he doesn't miss those last two crucial fixtures against major rivals.