Conor Bradley is still in recovery after surgery on a serious knee injury, but will target a return in the coming months while Liverpool look to sign a right-back.
Bradley was forced to undergo surgery after suffering major damage to his left knee during the 0-0 draw away to Arsenal in January.
The severity of the injury has limited the 22-year-old’s work in the five months since, but he has resumed sessions at the AXA Training Centre gym including load-bearing exercises.
He remains a way off rejoining full training under new head coach Andoni Iraola, however.
Liverpool journalist David Lynch writes on Substack that Bradley is “understood to be targeting a return to training shortly after the new season starts.”
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)
However, the focus will be on “easing him back in in the hope of avoiding further setbacks,” which has prompted the pursuit of a new right-back this summer.
With Jeremie Frimpong considered a squad player for a variety of roles and previous target Denzel Dumfries swapping Inter Milan for Real Madrid, Liverpool are “scouring the market” for alternatives.
It remains to be seen where they will land but the expectation is that Iraola will begin the campaign with a new face at right-back.
Bradley could then look to work his way back into the side when fully fit, though there should be no major targets set at this stage.
This Is Anfield understands the issue may have been more severe than initially reported and that would inform any more conservative estimates when it comes to the Northern Irishman’s return.
But when capable of starting for Liverpool again the hope will be that Bradley can continue the trajectory he has been on since breaking through the academy in 2023.
Who could Liverpool sign at right-back?
Tottenham Hotspur's Archie Gray applauds the fans during a warm up before the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen, second leg match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday March 18, 2026.
Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, who spent last season on loan at Cagliari, is among the right-backs touted with a move to Anfield.
Lynch reports, however, that links with the 21-year-old Italian – who is also on Newcastle‘s radar – are being downplayed.
Feyenoord’s Givairo Read and Tottenham‘s Archie Gray have also been mentioned as possibilities, while Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza could provide a market opportunity as he nears the end of his contract.