Arne Slot could not give any assurances that Conor Bradley would return from his knee injury in time for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season.
Bradley has missed the last 24 matches since succumbing to a serious knee injury at Arsenal, which required surgery after significant damage to his ligaments and bone.
The Northern Irishman has been spotted at the AXA Training Centre in recent weeks, but his rehabilitation is limited to indoor work, and that will continue for the foreseeable.
Initial suggestions were that the 22-year-old would be available for the start of pre-season, but Slot’s latest update indicates that is not guaranteed.
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“This is what they tell me, in rehab, it’s always really important in certain steps, if they go well or they don’t go well,” Slot started after being asked about Bradley’s return for the start of pre-season.
“It’s really difficult in the stage where he’s in now to predict exactly when he will be back. That will be by margins. So he’s still inside [training].
“He works really hard to make the right steps.
“But he’s at this moment, quite far away of already going outside [to train], and that makes it quite complicated to tell how long it’s going to take.”
Conor Bradley knew he would not make quick injury return for Liverpool
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley receives treatment during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s academy graduate underwent surgery on his left knee in January, and he quickly acknowledged he would not be making a swift return.
“The comeback starts now,” he penned on social media after his surgery.
“It won’t be for a little while but I already can’t wait to get back playing for Liverpool and Northern Ireland. Thanks for all the support.”
The serious nature of Bradley’s injury does mean his return hinges on the success of his rehabilitation, which means there will always be doubts over return projections.
It would be a huge boost for Liverpool to have the right-back in the fold at the start of pre-season, but it is understandable the club cannot offer any assurances.
Stefan Bajcetic is an example of just that, with a hamstring injury at the backend of last season having since ruled him out of the entire 2025/26 campaign, despite hopes of a return last year.
In other injury news, Slot offered an update on Giorgi Mamardashvili, Alisson, Alexander Isak, Mo Salah, Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate ahead of Chelsea‘s visit.
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