Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot’s side could be forced into the January market following an injury to Conor Bradley.
Liverpool have started an ‘urgent’ search for a new right-back, it has been suggested.
The Reds are set to be without Conor Bradley for the rest of the 2025-26 season. The Northern Ireland international suffered bone and ligament damage in last week’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal and requires surgery.
Jeremie Frimpong is Liverpool’s only out-and-out senior right-sided defender, although the summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen has impressed operating as a winger in recent weeks. Frimpong has also had hamstring issues this term and is being carefully managed.
Joe Gomez can play full-back but he has had his fitness problems over the past few years, while Calvin Ramsay was an unused substitute for the 4-1 win over Barnsley in the FA Cup third round. To add to Slot’s troubles, centre-back Giovanni Leoni will not play again this campaign after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during his Liverpool debut in September.
There are sections of fans who would like to see the Reds bring in a new defender in the January transfer window. Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace is the obvious candidate given how close the Reds were to signing him last summer, although he is a centre-half. Guehi’s contract at Palace expires at the end of June and the South London outfit are open to a sale for the right price.
According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are looking at several options to replace Bradley. However, it’s said that Julian Ryerson of Borussia Dortmund is not someone the Reds are interested in. Plettenberg posted on X: “Understand Liverpool are urgently searching for a replacement for Conor #Bradley, who will be out for several months with a knee injury. Various options are being assessed for the current transfer window. Been told that Julian Ryerson is currently not a candidate for #LFC.”
With Frimpong’s minutes set to be monitored, Slot has suggested that Dominik Szoboszlai may be required to deputise at right-back at times. The Hungary international has been Liverpool’s best player this campaign and Slot very much sees him as a midfielder - but may have to reluctantly deploy Szoboszlai in defence.
Speaking after the Barnsley win, Slot said: It's an enormous blow for [Conor], but as a result of that it's a big blow for us as well because I hope that you don't think I would like to play Dominik Szoboszlai as a right full-back. Jeremie Frimpong has to play a lot of minutes, also comes back from an injury, has missed out on three or four months of a lot of playing time. I liked him again today, by the way, but I have to make sure he is able to play again at the weekend and then we go to Marseille and then we go to Bournemouth.
“It is nine games in January with six defenders available. I have to manage it in the right way and I have to give enormous compliments to the players that are fit that we are 11 games unbeaten.”
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