Which games is Alexis Mac Allister suspended for & when will he return?

Liverpool's draw at Luton Town on Sunday was frustrating for all kinds of reasons.

The Reds lacked composure at Kenilworth Road – their first league encounter at the historic stadium since the early nineties – managing to squander a host of chances in the scrappy game before Tahith Chong netted on the counter after 80 minutes.

Luis Diaz's stoppage time header was emotionally charged for reasons beyond football, and help saved Liverpool from the embarrassment of defeat. However, Jurgen Klopp and his team will look back on this fixture as two points dropped.

READ MORE: 5 talking points from Liverpool's draw at Luton

Adding to Liverpool's woes on Sunday was another yellow card for midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

The Reds' number 10 was booked for an ill-timed challenge on 54 minutes – his fifth card of the 2023/24 season.

Mac Allister suspension

The Argentine now faces a one-match ban after also picking up bookings in the games against against Chelsea, Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.

By FA law, five yellow cards for a player result in a one-match suspension – one that cannot be appealed as the ban is for an accumulation of bookings rather than a straight red.

Mac Allister was sent off in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth back in August. However, that suspension was overturned following an appeal.

Which game will Mac Allister miss?

Mac Allister will sit out the home clash with Brentford on Sunday, 12 November.

This marks the first Premier League fixture the World Cup winner will miss since joining Liverpool from Brighton this summer, having starting all 11 games so far this campaign.

However, he will be available to feature on Thursday night as Liverpool travel to Toulouse for the fourth round of Europa League group stage fixtures, as the ban only applies to domestic games.

Additionally, as it is a one-match suspension, the midfielder will also be able to return for the Reds' crunch clash against Manchester City on Saturday, 25 November, following the international break.

Who could play instead?

Klopp now faces something of a midfield dilemma.

24-year-old Mac Allister has been the manager's preferred option at the base of midfield – despite some debate over his best position.

Without Mac Allister to call upon, Klopp may turn to a more naturally defensive option like summer arrival Wataru Endo, who has started just one Premier League game to date, but begun to impress in the cups.

The 30-year-old Japan captain has been eased into action at Liverpool, scoring his first goal in the 5-1 win over Toulouse last month.

Less obvious options to replace Mac Allister include Curtis Jones, who was used in the 'number six' role in pre-season, and Ryan Gravenberch, who has been used in more advanced positions since his summer move from Bayern Munich.