Liverpool set for major injury boost after latest update | OneFootball

Conor Bradley Injury Boost

Bradley’s recovery has been monitored closely at Kirkby and his return to modified team training has raised confidence that he could feature at Leeds this weekend. Slot confirmed that the defender took part in a session on Monday, albeit not at full intensity, as Liverpool continue to manage his workload following a muscle issue sustained after international duty.

The Liverpool manager was careful not to overstate the likelihood of an immediate return, stressing the need for caution. However, the fact Bradley has already completed portions of team drills marks a significant step forward, particularly given the congestion of fixtures ahead. With four matches in eleven days, any progress in defensive depth is welcomed.

Jeremie Frimpong injury update offers Liverpool timely boost at right-back

Arne Slot has spent much of his early Liverpool tenure solving problems at right-back rather than refining long-term plans. Jeremie Frimpong’s injury towards the end of October, combined with Conor Bradley’s own spell on the sidelines, has forced the head coach into a series of compromises in a key area of the pitch.

Slot spoke about the injury update in his pre-match Sunderland press conference: 

Joe Gomez’s excellent showing in the win over West Ham at the London Stadium underlined his reliability, but also highlighted the strain on a player who has already been asked to cover multiple roles this season. As the schedule ramps up and questions grow over whether Gomez can realistically start two or three matches a week, Liverpool have badly needed a positive Frimpong injury update.

That now appears to have arrived.

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Frimpong injury update as key step in recovery revealed

According to reports from the Daily Mail, Frimpong has taken a meaningful step forward in his rehabilitation, with the 24-year-old described as being “back on the grass” in recent days. That phrase usually signals a key transition from gym-based work to more intensive, football-specific training.

The current expectation is that Frimpong could be available for selection in around a fortnight, provided there are no setbacks. Bradley, who has been following a similar recovery path, is also thought to be working towards a comparable return date.

For Slot, this injury update changes the conversation. Short-term, he must still decide whether to lean on Gomez once again for the upcoming trip to Sunderland, or look for another makeshift solution. Longer term, the focus will shift from simply plugging gaps to making a genuine tactical choice between two specialist right-backs with contrasting profiles.

Timeline on Liverpool defender’s return and what it means

Frimpong’s start to life at Anfield has been fractured. His explosive attacking game and energy were evident in flashes, but his stop-start availability has made it difficult for him to build rhythm or fully integrate into Liverpool’s structure. An untimely injury in October, suffered during the Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt, halted that process just as he seemed on the verge of settling.

If the current two-week estimate proves accurate, his return will coincide with a crucial phase of the season. Fixture congestion, domestic cup commitments and the European programme will demand clever rotation. Slot cannot afford to overwork Gomez, particularly given his importance as cover at centre-back, and will welcome the option of selecting a natural right-back more regularly.

Bradley’s expected comeback at a similar time only sharpens the competition. Earlier in the campaign, when both players were fit, Slot often leaned slightly towards the Northern Irishman, whose defensive reliability and understanding of Liverpool’s demands made him a relatively low-risk option. That may have been as much about easing Frimpong into a new club and league as anything more definitive, but the pattern was noteworthy.

Competition with Bradley after injury lay-off

Once both Frimpong and Bradley are available again, the hierarchy at right-back will come under renewed scrutiny. At this stage, it would be a stretch to suggest either has definitively claimed the position as his own. In many ways, they will both be starting from scratch.

Frimpong offers direct running, width and an attacking outlet that can overload opposition defences, especially against teams prepared to sit deep. Bradley, by contrast, brings balance, discipline and a more traditional full-back profile, which can be invaluable in trickier away fixtures or against more dangerous counter-attacking sides.

Slot is likely to split minutes between the pair, at least initially. Form, fitness and tactical context will all play their part. A Europa or Champions League group game at Anfield may lend itself to Frimpong’s forward surges; a tense league outing away from home may point more naturally to Bradley.

Underlying all of this is a Liverpool fanbase still waiting to be fully convinced by either option as the long-term answer. That is not a criticism so much as a reflection of how disjointed this early period has been, shaped by injuries and constant reshuffles. A sustained, injury-free run for both players would finally allow a proper assessment.

For now, the key takeaway is clear: this latest Frimpong injury update represents a rare piece of good news in what has been a challenging spell for Liverpool’s defensive plans. With the Dutchman back on the grass and Bradley not far behind, Slot is edging closer to having genuine choice rather than enforced improvisation at right-back – and that could make a significant difference as the season’s demands intensify.