Conor Bradley has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury during Liverpool’s draw against Arsenal.
The Northern Irishman landed awkwardly after clearing a ball out for a throw-in, and has subsequently damaged his ligaments.
As per The Athletic, Bradley has luckily not sustained a dreaded ACL injury, although there is said to be ‘significant damage’ to bone and ligaments.
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Where should Calvin Ramsay now rank in Liverpool’s right-back options?
Conor Bradley won't play again this term…
Calvin Ramsay warms up ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Dan Istitene).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Dan Istitene
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Bradley will reportedly not play again this season, and is a doubt should Northern Ireland navigate their play-off fixtures and qualify for the World Cup.
It is a cruel blow for the 22-year-old, who was supposed to cement his place as Liverpool’s regular right-back this season. It is also dreadful news for Liverpool, who must now rely on three slightly worrisome options to see them through the rest of the campaign at right-back.
Liverpool might have to rely on Calvin Ramsay
Losing Bradley for such a length of time is not only a problem in terms of the right-back position.
Liverpool have two more senior players who can fill in to good effect on the right of defence, but both would arguably prefer to be playing elsewhere.
Conor Bradley during Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Jeremie Frimpong is the most obvious replacement for Bradley, but the Dutchman has featured in attack in recent weeks. With options dwindling up front as well, he is needed there for the time being.
Then there is Joe Gomez, who has done some of his best work for Liverpool while playing at right-back. However, Gomez is currently the only senior cover for Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. You can quickly see what a mess the Reds have got themselves into here.
The final, more natural option for Slot is Calvin Ramsay. After almost three years of not playing for Liverpool, Ramsay started October’s Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace at the end of October.
Conor Bradley could be out for a LONG time. Who is your ideal replacement? 🤕
Should Liverpool sign a right-back in January, or rely on the injury-prone Gomez as cover?
Conor Bradley and Leandro Trossard during Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Ramsay generally did well, and injuries elsewhere have seen him named on the bench in a further seven matches, including each of the past six. If Slot wants to avoid disruption to other areas of the team, Ramsay is pretty much his only option.
Is Ramsay good enough to take a chance on?
When Ramsay signed for Liverpool in 2022, Bradley was just heading out on-loan to Bolton.
Although nobody at the club ever said it at the time, it seemed probable that Liverpool saw Ramsay as being ahead of Bradley in the pecking order. Both the same age, Ramsay was sticking around the first-team while Bradley was heading away.
Since then, things have gone in opposite directions for the pair. Nevertheless, it is clear that in terms of quality, Ramsay has a fair bit.
Injuries have been his kryptonite until now, but if he can stay fit, maybe he can finally restore things to the way they were.
Given the recent fitness records of both Frimpong and Gomez, as well as problems mounting up elsewhere, it is now very likely that Ramsay will at least be given a chance or two.
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