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Dominik Szoboszlai has emerged as one of Liverpool's standout performers during a challenging first half of the season for the reigning Premier League champions.
The versatile player, who has been deployed in four different positions in both midfield and defence, has contributed five goals and five assists from 23 appearances so far this campaign but was forced odd against Brighton on Saturday.
His impressive form and increasing significance have not gone unnoticed, particularly given Liverpool's overall struggles, highlighting just how crucial the 25 year old is to Arne Slot's plans. As a result, fans have been watching Szoboszlai with a degree of anxiety in recent weeks, acutely aware that Liverpool are on the brink of having to cope without the in-form Hungarian.
For over a month, the midfielder has been treading a disciplinary tightrope in the Premier League, having received his fourth booking of the season in last month's loss to Manchester City.
If he picks up another yellow card in the English top flight before Liverpool's 20th league match of the season against Fulham on January 4, it will result in a one-match ban, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Szoboszlai has managed to navigate Liverpool's previous five Premier League fixtures without falling foul of the officials, thus avoiding such a predicament.
However, with the amnesty period fast approaching, Liverpool may still face the prospect of being without the 25 year old - potentially for more than just one match.
He was compelled to leave the pitch with an ankle injury in the 83rd minute during Liverpool's victory over Brighton, despite his initial attempt to continue playing. Slot confirmed the setback in his post-match comments.
"Dom, it was his ankle," the Dutchman disclosed. "It didn't look great when I just saw him. But he has unbelievable mentality so let's hope for the best."
Ryan Gravenberch sat out three matches earlier in the season due to an ankle problem of his own, while Wataru Endo has already missed two games with a similar injury.
Whether Szoboszlai will be sidelined following his own injury remains uncertain. However, having successfully evaded suspension so far, despite the looming threat, any enforced absence now would be somewhat ironically harsh.
Naturally, if he is forced to miss the Premier League's festive fixtures due to injury, at least he won't face a ban before the amnesty kicks in with the New Year.
But this would be a mixed blessing for both Liverpool and Szoboszlai as they anxiously await the fallout from his forced withdrawal against Brighton.
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In other news, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Gravenberch and Milos Kerkez must steer clear of receiving two yellow cards in the upcoming matches against Tottenham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United to avoid their own suspensions. The foursome have each been shown the yellow card three times in the Premier League so far this season.
With Joe Gomez also having to leave the pitch against Brighton due to a hamstring injury, any suspension for Van Dijk or Konate would be particularly unwelcome. Currently, they are Slot's only available senior centre-backs, with Giovanni Leoni already sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury.
Endo and Gravenberch could both serve as temporary alternatives, as could Andy Robertson, but the Japanese player is still out with an injury while the Dutchman is teetering on the edge of his own suspension.
Federico Chiesa and Gomez are also walking disciplinary tightropes, each having received two bookings so far this season. However, with the Italian playing a minor role and the England international now injured, it would be somewhat unexpected if either were to accumulate the three yellow cards needed to trigger a one-game ban before the year's end.
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