Arne Slot has made a concerning admission about £40m signing Milos Kerkez, who he subbed off just 38 minutes into the game against Burnley.
Ultimately, Liverpool prevailed 1-0 courtesy of a late Mo Salah penalty in stoppage time but the visitors were pushed right to the limit again.
In the first half, Kerkez picked up an early yellow card for diving, a decision by Michael Oliver that was validated by replays.
And Slot then decided to make a cruel, if sensible decision, to haul Kerkez off before half-time, replacing him with Andy Robertson.
When asked about his thinking, Slot told reporters: ‘It was because he got a yellow card.
‘I think the fans here thought a chance for them to win the game is if we ended up with a second yellow.
Milos Kerkez was substituted off by Arne Slot after just 38 minutes of the game
‘With Milos I can never be 100 percent he doesn’t make the next foul, then the fans are on top of the referee.’
The admission will be a concern for Kerkez and Liverpool fans after the Hungarian was recruited from Bournemouth as Robertson’s long term successor in the left-back spot.
Slot added: ‘I thought the only way we could lose it today was if we went down to 10 men.’
It is the second time Slot has chosen to publicly call into question Kerkez’s recklessness this season.
He previously said the 21-year-old was ‘playing every duel as if his life depends on it’ after the victory over Bournemouth on the first day of the season.
Kerkez will have to heed his boss’ warnings if he is to continue being entrusted with a starting role ahead of Robertson.
The Scot performed well after he came on and will be determined to claim back the position that has belonged to him for years.
Liverpool took advantage of Burnley going down to 10 men when Lesley Ugochukwu was sent off in the 84th minute for a second bookable offence.
Kerkez can be reckless and Slot was concerned about him picking up a second yellow card
The champions poured on the pressure and Hannibal Mejbri cracked, raising his arm to block a Jeremie Frimpong cross in the box.
Salah, who had otherwise endured another poor game, stepped up in the key moment to smash home the spot kick and keeps the Reds undefeated.
Slot will now have a decision to make over the left-back start ahead of Liverpool’s first Champions League game of the season against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
