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Liverpool was dealt a fresh defensive headache on Friday morning ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, with manager Arne Slot confirming that Conor Bradley picked up a muscle injury during the international break.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot delivered the unwelcome update on Bradley’s condition, revealing that the Northern Ireland international faces up to 22 days on the sidelines unless “a miracle happens”:
“Conor Bradley is unable to play [vs Forest].”
“I don’t expect Conor to be part of the upcoming 22 days, maybe the end unless a miracle happens.”
For Liverpool supporters, the news will trigger a sense of déjà vu.
Bradley has now suffered his second significant injury setback of the season, having already missed the opening weeks of the campaign after picking up a hamstring problem during pre-season that disrupted his preparation.
That earlier issue meant he was eased back into action with three successive substitute appearances before being trusted to complete 90 minutes.
What makes this latest blow particularly troubling is the emerging pattern across Bradley’s young career.
Last season, the defender endured multiple injury spells, including a thigh injury in February that kept him out for over four weeks, followed by another knock in April.
In November 2024, he suffered a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s memorable 2-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid—ironically, a match where he had starred before being forced off—which sidelined him for up to six weeks.
If Arne Slot’s forecast proves accurate, Conor Bradley will miss Premier League games against Nottingham Forest, West Ham (29 November) Sunderland (3 December), Leeds (6 December), and Brighton (13 December), as well as Champions League encounters with PSV (26 November) and Inter Milan (9 December).
With Jeremie Frimpong also out for a similar period, it remains to be seen who Slot opts to plug in at right-back.
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