Trent Alexander-Arnold is a yellow card away from missing the return leg vs Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a yellow card away from suspension for the return leg vs Real Madrid

According to the Mirror, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is walking a tightrope and is a yellow card away from missing the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold picked up bookings against Napoli and Rangers in the group stage. With the yellow cards only getting wiped off in the quarter-final stage, a booking against Madrid in the first leg at Anfield would make the Englishman miss the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That can be considered as an unwanted distraction for the 24-year-old, who already has a lot on his plate dealing with the might of Vinicius Jr. Till now, the Brazilian has come up against the Liverpool man thrice, getting the better of him on every occasion.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a yellow card away from suspension for the return leg vs Real Madrid. — Trent Alexander-Arnold is a yellow card away from missing second leg of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Add that to the fact that Alexander-Arnold has not been in the greatest of forms this season, it would be a worry if Vinicius gets the better of him once again.

Will the 24-year-old risk missing out on the second leg by doing what it takes to stop the Madrid winger? Probably so. It is better to think about the first leg before going too far ahead. For Liverpool to progress in this tie, they have to win the first game at Anfield.

And for the win, if Alexander-Arnold is required to take a yellow card to stop Vinicius, so be it. The good thing about the right-back is that he has been in good chance-creating form. If his creative work is on the money again, he could force his direct opponent to track back more than ever.

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It is going to be an intriguing test for the Liverpool man with a suspension hanging above his head. His career at Anfield has been defined by how well he has responded to setbacks and challenges. We can expect him to stand up and be counted tonight.