Key star RULED OUT of West Ham clash

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has guided his side to the top of the Premier League and Champions League standings during his first season in charge.

That is a remarkable achievement considering the Dutchman is working with the SAME squad left to him by Jurgen Klopp. The only addition was Federico Chiesa, up until now a marginal figure in Liverpool’s campaign.

READ MORE: The two Liverpool players who WILL leave in January

Slot’s success has been improving the players already on the books with the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo taking their performances to another level under the newly appointed tactician.

Another player who has benefitted from Slot’s management is Dominik Szoboszlai.

It’s easy to forget that the Hungary captain finished last season under considerable scrutiny, losing his place during the run-in under Klopp and giving his space in the team up to Harvey Elliott among others.

But this season the 24-year-old has come roaring back, putting in perhaps his best-ever Liverpool performance last Sunday during the Premier League victory against Tottenham.

Szoboszlai suspended for West Ham clash

However there is a bump in the road upcoming as Szoboszlai becomes the LATEST member of Liverpool’s midfield to serve a suspension.

With Alexis Mac Allister ruled out of Champions League and Premier League matches earlier this month, Szoboszlai is now set to serve a one-game domestic ban against West Ham.

Against Leicester on Thursday night, Szoboszlai picked up his FIFTH booking of the Premier League season after coming on as a substitute.

Any player booked five times in the opening 19 matches of the top-flight season incurs a one-match ban and the time has come for Szoboszlai to serve his suspension.

The playmaker will therefore play NO part in the upcoming Premier League game against West Ham on Sunday December 29 but will come back into contention for the Manchester United game on January 5.

It means Slot will have to shuffle his pack in midfield yet again with Jones, Mac Allister and Gravenberch set to start against the Hammers and Szoboszlai not eligible.

Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez are all one booking away from serving a ban of their own. Players booked 10 times in their first 32 Premier League games will serve a two-match ban.

READ MORE: Liverpool have finally signed the NEXT Sadio Mane for just £44m