Arne Slot confirms plan for Conor Bradley as Liverpool now prepare for life after Trent Alexander-Arnold
Photo shows Liverpool's manager Arne Slot and Conor Bradley
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot and Conor Bradley(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has confirmed Conor Bradley will start Sunday's visit from Arsenal as Liverpool prepare to begin life without Trent Alexander-Arnold. And the Reds boss has steered away from comparing the departing England international with Bradley, who has been tipped to become a vital player for the club in the coming years.
Alexander-Arnold confirmed on Monday he would be leaving the club after a 20-year association and is expected to join Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June.
Slot says Bradley is now poised to end the season as the club's first choice right-back as the champions look ahead to a future without their vice-captain.
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But Slot also laid down the challenge to the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international, insisting he must prove his long-term fitness at Anfield to fulfil his undoubted potential.
"Let’s not compare him with Trent now already," Slot said of Bradley. "They are two different types in my opinion.
"With Conor, we all see the potential but last week I walked on to the pitch together with him and I looked around because, for me, it was the first time (at Stamford Bridge). And I was very surprised that he made a comment about the stadium as well because it was the first time he was there as well.
"That was a bit of a surprise to me, because I thought he was further in his development than being at an away game like Chelsea for the first time. Very talented player Conor, unfortunately hasn’t been fit through the season.
"To become a very good player you have to be available every week and that is the first step he has to take next season but we have confidence in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool and that is already what he has shown for Liverpool.
"If Conor was available he would have started against Chelsea, so there's a first chance he might start.
"Conor will start (against Arsenal), he needs playing time, games under his belt to be prepared for next season. Unfortunately he hasn't been fit all season but to become a good player you have to be fit all season but we have a lot of confidence in him as a very good full-back for Liverpool."
On his team selection for Sunday's game against Mikel Arteta's men, Slot added: "I think there are a lot of influences on the decisions I make and one is definitely losing a game.
"So I am not thinking of losing all four of them. But there are more things to go into a line-up than only losing or only rotating and giving the chances to others.
"It is difficult to predict [the outcome] but I think both teams look forward to playing this game. Maybe there is a little bit at stake for Arsenal, because I assume they prefer to end up second rather than three or four.
"For us we can only end up as No.1. So it is difficult to predict if it will be yes or a no. There will be 22 players of a real high quality with more who can come off the bench that have the same quality. So it is a game to look forward to, as many.
"There is Real Madrid versus Barcelona at the weekend, there is Benfica against Sporting and you guys are not interested because it is Holland, but there is also PSV vs Feyenoord, so a lot of nice games to look forward to on Sunday. Unfortunately they are all on Sunday, so I miss them!"