Liverpool set for double injury boost as Arne Slot confirms imminent returns for defenders

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Evening Standard

·2 December 2025

Liverpool set for double injury boost as Arne Slot confirms imminent returns for defenders

Dutchman has been forced to improvise amid absence of Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong

Injured Liverpool full-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong will both soon be back in the fold, Arne Slot has revealed.

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The Reds’ shaky form of late has not been helped by the absence of the two right-backs and Joe Gomez’s fitness issues, which has seen central midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai forced to deputise in defence in some recent outings.

The Hungarian should be set to return to his natural position more regularly after Bradley, sidelined since straining a muscle on international duty on November 9, returned to first-team training this week.

“Conor (Bradley) got into a team training session yesterday for the first time,” Slot said ahead of Sunderland’s visit to Anfield.

Conor Bradley was injured while representing Northern Ireland in November

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Bradley is not yet ready to return to competitive play, though: “Not everything is 100 per cent yet, so we have to manage that so don't get hopes up too soon.

“Unfortunately, we play a lot of games, so he'll miss a few. Hopefully Conor is available for Leeds.”

Frimpong, who has made just ten appearances for Liverpool since moving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer due to recurrent hamstring injuries, is expected to follow Bradley’s lead soon: “We expect the same with Jeremie next week.”

Injuries have defined Jeremie Frimpong’s Liverpool career thus far

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Slot is continuing to manage the minutes of Gomez and the marquee signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, none of whom are fully match fit after struggling with injuries in recent weeks.

As Liverpool’s fixture list grows increasingly congested, the Dutchman said he would continue to be cautious with the trio.

“I don't think they can play three times 90 in a week,” he explained.

“Now I have to wait to see if they can be involved from the start on Wednesday (against Sunderland).

“All three can feature in all the three games.”