Conor Bradley was booked in both of Liverpool's first two Champions League matches against Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray, but avoided a suspension against Eintracht Frankfurt
Liverpool can breathe a sigh of relief after Conor Bradley escaped receiving a suspension during the Reds' 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Northern Ireland star was brought on as a 19th minute replacement for Jeremie Frimpong as Arne Slot's team fought back from behind to secure a commanding victory in Germany.
Bradley had already received yellow cards in both of Liverpool's opening two Champions League fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray. If he had been cautioned once more against Eintracht Frankfurt, the full-back would have faced a one-match suspension under UEFA regulations, ruling him out of the Reds' upcoming Champions League encounter at home to Real Madrid.
According to Article 63.02: "From the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)."
However, despite his early entrance against Frankfurt, Bradley managed to avoid such disciplinary action against the German side. Whilst he continues to sit just one booking away from a ban, he remains available to take on the Spanish champions on November 4th.
His presence will provide a much-needed lift for Liverpool after Frimpong suffered a hamstring problem on Wednesday evening. The Reds also witnessed record-signing Alexander Isak withdrawn at the interval with a groin concern.
Slot confirmed after the final whistle that the Netherlands international had suffered a hamstring problem and was now anticipated to be ruled out for several weeks. "It's not helpful with Alisson and Giovanni Leoni already out that I expect Jeremie Frimpong to definitely be out now for a few weeks," the Dutchman confessed.
"Jeremie is a hamstring issue. He came back from a hamstring injury a few weeks ago. Now unfortunately he's had to go off."
The £29m summer acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen has already sat out two fixtures this campaign due to a prior hamstring problem. He was withdrawn during his Premier League bow against AFC Bournemouth in August, and didn't feature again until following the September international interval.
With Bradley absent for Liverpool's opening two encounters of the season through his own hamstring setback sustained during pre-season, Slot has been compelled to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai as an emergency right-back on several occasions throughout the current campaign.
Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo remain available alternatives if necessary, though the Reds will be hoping Bradley can remain injury-free with the 22-year-old now potentially in line for an extended spell in Liverpool's first team during Frimpong's absence. The Reds' only natural right-back option, Slot will be relieved that he won't be without Bradley due to suspension when they face Real Madrid.
Liverpool are gearing up for a clash with their former vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold and the La Liga titans at Anfield next month. Meanwhile, while Bradley is just one European yellow card away from a suspension, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are the only other players in Slot's squad who have been booked in the Champions League this season.
Both were given a caution in last month's defeat to Galatasaray, putting them at risk of a one-match ban if they receive a second yellow card in any of Liverpool's upcoming European matches before the quarter-finals end.
Gravenberch was absent from the trip to Frankfurt due to a twisted ankle, but Slot has previously expressed hope that the Dutch player would be fit for the Reds' match against Brentford on Saturday night.