Conor Bradley is stepping up his recovery from a serious knee injury and it could provide a “nice surprise” for fans when it comes to his return for Liverpool.
The severity of Bradley’s injury, suffered in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal in January, has prompted concerns over his long-term availability.
But the right-back is currently targeting a return soon after the new campaign begins, with Liverpool journalist David Lynch explaining the situation.
“Conor Bradley, as I’m told, is targeting a return shortly after the start of the season,” Lynch said on YouTube.
“So he’s not a million miles away, which might be a nice surprise for some of you.
“But they’re not relying on him. They know they’ve got to take it slow. They’ve got to be very, very careful with him.”
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)
There will be no rush when it comes to bringing Bradley back into the fold and Andoni Iraola has already repeated on a number of occasions that theirs is a long-term focus.
Liverpool are in fact expected to sign another defender as a “solution” to their right-back issues, having seen Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones fill in frequently throughout last season.
That could come in the form a versatile player able to cover the back line or a specialist right-back to allow Jeremie Frimpong to adopt his utility role.
But while Liverpool will emphasis the need to take things slow with Bradley’s fitness, that he is targeting a return likely around September is a major boost.
Speaking to Stan Sport this week, Iraola insisted that while it is not an “ideal situation” regarding Liverpool’s injuries, it is simply a case of adapting.
“We’ve had two situations that are probably not perfect,” he explained.
“[One is] in terms of a lot of senior, very, very important players leaving – Mo Salah, Robertson, Konate, players that have been fundamental in the last years of this club.
“And also the challenge of some very important players having very bad injuries.
“I’m talking about Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, others that have smaller issues but still are not there in pre-season.
“It’s not an ideal situation but football is always like this: you have to adapt.”