Liverpool’s injury problems deepened on Thursday as Conor Bradley picked up a suspected knee injury against Arsenal.
Although the Reds enjoyed a more positive night at the Emirates Stadium, the sight of the Northern Irishman being stretchered off put a huge dampener on the evening.
Bradley has had recurrent fitness problems ever since securing his place in the Liverpool first-team in 2023, and there is concern that he could now miss a significant amount of time.
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Conor Bradley could be out for a LONG time. Who is your ideal replacement? 🤕
Should Liverpool sign a right-back in January, or rely on the injury-prone Gomez as cover?
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Having been at the centre of a flashpoint involving Gabriel Martinelli, Bradley was seen leaving the Emirates with a knee brace and crutch, suggesting he could potentially even miss the rest of the season.
If that were to happen, Liverpool badly need to assess their options at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong is now their only senior player in the position, but the Dutchman has had fitness problems of his own and has been needed in attack of late. So, with the January window open, is it possible Liverpool will choose to sign a new player?
Givairo Read could come back onto Liverpool’s radar
Given Bradley and Frimpong’s troubles in genuinely nailing down their status as Liverpool’s starting right-back, there were some suggestions that Slot may need to buy a new star anyway.
Frimpong does look like more of a forward, and if Bradley cannot stay fit then he can never truly be considered as the regular starter.
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Back in November, there were claims that Givairo Read could leave Feyenoord this January, with a move to Manchester City potentially mooted.
Liverpool were linked with Read before signing Frimpong last summer, and the 19-year-old is the standout candidate to join this month.
Young enough to compete with Bradley for a starting spot in the years to come, Read could rotate with Frimpong as the Liverpool academy graduate plots his return.
What would you say to Gabriel Martinelli if you had the chance TONIGHT? 😡
DISGUSTING behaviour
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Calvin Ramsay could finally get his chance
Of course, Frimpong is not the only player Slot could choose to use at right-back if Bradley is missing for some time.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have both filled in to decent effect this season, while Joe Gomez is a much more natural option.
But Gomez is currently Liverpool’s only cover at centre-back, and with Slot seemingly keen to protect the 28-year-old against injury, he is unlikely to play with much regularity.
The final choice for Liverpool could be Calvin Ramsay, the youngster brought in as Jurgen Klopp’s potential Trent Alexander-Arnold successor in 2023. Ramsay impressed against Crystal Palace in October, and Bradley’s injury may provide the Scotsman with another chance at an unlikely reprieve.
Ramsay will surely be picked to start during Monday’s FA Cup clash with Barnsley, and if he can do well once again, Slot may decide to use him until whenever Bradley can return. If it were us, we’d be reinforcing the position in the current window, but Liverpool do not like to buy simply to cover injury, so anyone expecting a new arrival may be left disappointed.
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