Liverpool may benefit from additional Declan Rice suspension risk. Decljson Rice will miss Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham after the international break but could also be set for a further suspension this season with the Premier League rules in mind. The repercussions of Declan Rice’s red card in Arsenal’s clash with Brighton continue to reverberate among fans, almost a week after the incident.
Liverpool rivals Arsenal is set to face their fierce rivals Tottenham next week, aiming for a third consecutive away victory in the North London Derby – a feat not achieved since 1988. Rice’s absence will undoubtedly be the focal point of discussions around Mikel Arteta’s team selection, but the implications of his suspension could worsen in the coming weeks. Rice is set to return for the Manchester City match the following week, which comes between a challenging Champions League fixture against Atalanta. His two yellow cards in the Brighton match, coupled with a previous one against Aston Villa, means he’s currently on three in as many games. According to Premier League rules, if a player accumulates five yellow cards in the first nineteen matches, they face a one-game suspension. Accruing 10 by the 32nd week results in a two-game ban, while fifteen before the 38th matchday leads to a three-game suspension. The prospect of Rice going 15 games without receiving more than one additional yellow card seems highly unlikely. According to Premier League rules, if a player accumulates five yellow cards in the first nineteen matches, they face a one-game suspension. Accruing 10 by the 32nd week results in a two-game ban, while fifteen before the 38th matchday leads to a three-games suspension. The prospect of Rice going 15 games without receiving more than one additional yellow card seems highly unlikely. Potential suspensions, though, could loom in the forthcoming fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.
The challenge lies in avoiding an additional seven yellow cards in the remaining 27 matches, given his current rate of three. Gunners fans will likely take solace in the fact that Rice only received five yellow cards in his 38 Premier League appearances last season. Mikel Merino will be back to bolster the midfield should Rice hit the five-card mark before week 19. The Spanish player is currently nursing a shoulder injury with a projected return date between mid-to-late October. Though, he is no Rice replacement. Liverpool.com says: “Any negative to a rival is a boost for Liverpool. Rice’s rate of yellow cards could see him ruled out of a game against the Reds. But even if it doesn’t come against Arne Slot’s side, his absence will impact Arsenal massively.
And any dropped points as a result of his absence is more than certainly a benefit to Liverpool’s title chances.”
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