Blue card system will be bad news for Liverpool but great for Man City, stats prove
The hypothetical Premier League blue card table for this season highlights which teams could potentially suffer the most - and least - if sin bins are introduced
The proposed introduction of blue cards would be bad news for Liverpool based on this season's stats.
Football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and considering trialling the new punishment, which would see players sin binned for 10 minutes for tactical fouls or dissent towards referees.
Plans were set to be announced last week but were postponed hours beforehand following fierce backlash from fans, managers and pundits alike. And Liverpool supporters may be even more against it if they knew the figures so far this season.
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The Athletic have studied how many blue cards each Premier League team would've received before this weekend's action. Struggling Sheffield United would be topping the charts with a total of 33 - eight for dissent and 25 for tactical fouls.
Next most is both Jurgen Klopp's Reds and Chelsea with 31 each. While the Blues are already languishing in mid-table, it could've seriously harmed the former's title charge.
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At the other end of the blue card table, Manchester City would have the least - and a lot less compared to the rest of the league, likely putting them in an even more commanding position than they already are.
City have been given just three yellow cards for dissent this season, and 12 for tactical fouls. Next lowest is Crystal Palace on 18, with Arsenal and Luton both on 19.
The average across the league clocks in at 25.2, highlighting just how few City have received. For now, we won't be seeing blues card in the top-flight of the English game for at least another 18 months.
The matter will be discussed further at IFAB's annual general meeting at Loch Lomond in Scotland on March 2.
The blue card table in full:
1. Sheffield United - 33
2=. Liverpool - 31
2=. Chelsea - 31
4=. Manchester United - 30
4=. Fulham - 30
6. Aston Villa - 29
7=. Everton - 28
7=. Bournemouth - 28
9. Tottenham - 27
10=. Wolves - 25
10=. West Ham - 25
10=. Newcastle - 25
13. Brighton - 24
14. Burnley - 23
15=. Nottingham Forest - 22
15=. Brentford - 22
17=. Luton - 19
17=. Arsenal - 19
19. Crystal Palace - 18
20. Manchester City - 15