Conor Bradley to stake claim for Liverpool spot after latest injury update
Conor Bradley has impressed when called upon by Arne Slot for Liverpool this season.
The right-back has made 22 appearances across all competitions this season when the Reds have needed cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, an injury has kept the 21-year-old out of action of late and Slot has been forced to shift his defence around to fill the gaps with Alexander-Arnold also injured.
Bradley receives fitness boost
Liverpool return to domestic action with a Merseyside derby as they welcome Everton to Anfield for what will be an emotive occasion.
Given Liverpool’s dip in form ahead of the international break, which saw them knocked out of the Champions League and lose the Carabao Cup final, Slot will want his men to get back into full flow in Premier League action.
With that in mind, the boss will be relieved to have Conor Bradley back in training, ahead of the game on Wednesday (2 April).
Whether or not the youngster will be ready to start the game is yet to be seen but when he is ready, there is no doubt that the boss will be prepared to use him in his side.
Just four days after their game against Everton, the Reds are then on the road for a trip to Fulham, meaning the boss will want as much squad depth available as possible.
Bradley has opportunity to overtake Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold has an injury keeping him sidelined for now but he is not the most popular man at Anfield after recent news.
It has been reported that the boyhood Red is set to leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the campaign, making a move to Real Madrid instead.
Supporters have not all reacted to the news well with some burning Liverpool shirts with his name on the back as they feel he should not have allowed his club to lose him on a free transfer.
Nevertheless, if he is set to depart, Slot will need to start his succession planning now and once Bradley is back in the squad, he has to take his opportunity to show that he can be the man to step into the shoes at right-back.
Although Bradley is popular, his injury issues this term have limited how well he has been able to perform in comparison to last season, which may give his manager doubts over whether he needs to get a more experienced head in to be the long-term replacement.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 23 | 1 | 6 |
However, the Dutchman is likely to give Bradley a chance to stake his claim and he can certainly do that by performing to his highest levels in the remainder of the season and even getting to a point where he is preferred to his right-back rival when he is fit again too.
The opportunity to impress will surely give the youngster the motivation to get himself back on that pitch, and this is an opportunity he can’t afford to waste.