Conor Bradley has reached another stage in his recovery from the knee injury that has kept him out since January, although Liverpool defender remains some way from returning to first-team training.
The Northern Ireland international has been sidelined since suffering the injury during Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in January.
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Bradley subsequently underwent surgery and has spent the following months working through his rehabilitation.
His absence has extended into the 2026-27 campaign, with Liverpool having to manage without the 23-year-old during the opening weeks of Andoni Iraola’s reign.
Iraola had previously indicated that Bradley was among the long-term absentees who would need more time before returning.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, Iraola provided a fresh update on Bradley’s rehabilitation and confirmed that the defender has now started working with the ball.
“He is not close to training with the team,” he said. “He is training alone but he has started touching the ball. We want him back as soon as possible.
“He has a road a little bit ahead of him and it is going to take some time.
“I think [Giovanni] Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it’s going to take some time for Conor, yes.”
The comments indicate that Bradley is making progress in his individual programme, but has not yet reached the stage of training alongside his Liverpool teammates.
Iraola also made clear that the defender still has further work to complete before he can return to group sessions.
Bradley’s injury required surgery after he was forced off against Arsenal, bringing an early end to his 2025-26 campaign.
His recovery has subsequently proved lengthy, with Liverpool continuing to avoid putting a specific return date on the defender.
Liverpool will face Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
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FK Mladost Lucani stadium
FK Mladost Lucani stadium