Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, applauds fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, applauds fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool could be without Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni for the long term and they’ll be short of defenders.
Arne Slot did not say the three letters that every Liverpool fan is thinking.
The Reds boss would not utter “ACL” when Giovanni Leoni was stretchered off on his debut in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
But the way Conor Bradley went to ground at the Emirates Stadium, it really would be a shock if he has not suffered a similar issue. Slot is understandably fearing the worst, given that Bradley also needed to be stretchered off the pitch in stoppage-time of the the 0-0 draw.
It is a hammer blow for the right-back and Liverpool. Bradley has had several hamstring problems over the past 18 months or so, which have confined him to the treatment table for several weeks at a time. Now he could face months on the sidelines. If it is an ACL injury, then the Northern Ireland international will not play again this season.
It will mean that Liverpool have two defenders on the treatment table for the long term, with Leoni absent until the summer. It will also leave the Reds without an out-and-out senior right-back. Jeremie Frimpong was lively against Arsenal, operating as a right-winger, and there is an argument that this is his best position rather than in defence.
Joe Gomez came off the bench to replace Bradley for the closing stages against Arsenal. He is primarily a centre-back but is capable of operating on the flank.
Ultimately, the latest injury blow may prompt Liverpool into a January rethink. If there is a crumb of comfort, it’s that the Reds can go out and sign a replacement should Bradley’s injury be for the long term.
By his own admission, Slot believes it still can be a “special” season, despite their Premier League crown being surrendered. Liverpool have ambitions of winning the Champions League and FA Cup, while securing a Premier League top-four finish is imperative.
The obvious move to make would be to re-enter the race for Marc Guehi. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has suggested that a sale will be sanctioned if the club’s price tag is met. Liverpool have already done that, having agreed a £35 million deal last summer, only for Palace to pull the plug at the 11th hour. But with Guehi in the final six months of his Selhurst Park deal, the hierarchy in South London may be getting more twitchy over the idea of losing their captain for free.
Manchester City are said to be interested, with Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias suffering injuries, while Arsenal are the latest club to be keen on signing Guehi on a free transfer. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked.
There is an argument that it makes little sense to splash a significant fee on a player who is available for nothing come 1 July. And it’s well known that Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group do not sanction deals unless they think it makes complete sense.
Yet it is hardly as though it would financially cripple Liverpool. They were ready to pay money for Guehi regardless, which suggests the funds are there. And they will be signing an asset for the short and long term. The number of clubs interested underlines how highly the England international is regarded. In addition, his injury record at Palace has been magnificent.
In the summer, the Reds will need a centre-back regardless, with Ibrahima Konaté yet to sign a new contract and set to leave on a free, while Gomez’s injury issues have been well documented.
What Liverpool can ill afford is to miss out on Champions League qualification, because it will impact revenue markedly. In addition, going deeper in this year’s tournament will add more funds to the Anfield coffers.
It might be an uncomfortable decision, but football can be unpredictable. If Bradley is absent for the long term, the rearguard requires bolstering and Guehi is the obvious candidate.
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