CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley walks out to watch the second half during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley walks out to watch the second half during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola wants Conor Bradley available as soon as possible, but the right-back is still “not close” to making a full training return as his injury rehab continues.
Bradley has been sidelined since early January after sustaining a serious knee injury, and while he is making steady progress, his return to team training is not imminent.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the League Cup match against Tottenham, Iraola explained: “He’s not close to training with the team.
“He’s training alone, but he started touching the ball. Definitely, I want him [back] as quick as possible already.”
There is encouragement that Bradley is now doing ball work as part of his recovery, but he still finds himself behind Giovanni Leoni when it comes to long-term injury returns.
Iraola added, “But these long-term injuries, I think Leoni is a little bit ahead of him, and still it’s gonna take some time for Conor.”
There was previously cautious belief that the 23-year-old may be ready to return around late October or into November, but Iraola’s update suggests that is unlikely.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Ronald Araújo (R) after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Ronald Araújo (R) after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He was named in the Reds’ initial Champions League squad for the league phase, like Hugo Ekitike, meaning there is at least some expectation he will return by January.
Iraola has turned to Ronald Araujo in the absence of Bradley and the lack of a specialist signing in the summer, with Jeremie Frimpong’s shortcomings seeing him start on the bench in the last three games.
Iraola will know, however, that when Bradley is fit to return he will need to be managed accordingly, having also struggled previously to string successive games together.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi speaks with Mathys Tel after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi speaks with Mathys Tel after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Elliott Ndukwe
Elliott Ndukwe
City LFC Refs
City LFC Refs