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Conor Bradley’s 2024/25 season has been disrupted by a persistent hamstring injury sustained during Liverpool’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Aston Villa on February 19, casting uncertainty over his availability for the critical final stretch of the campaign.
The 21-year-old right-back, who has emerged as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s primary deputy, was substituted in the 89th minute at Villa Park after pulling up during a sprint.
Initially expected to sideline him for 2-3 weeks, the Northern Ireland international has now missed six consecutive matches.
The setback compounded a season already marred by fitness issues for Bradley, who missed 11 matches earlier in the campaign due to a hamstring strain suffered against Real Madrid in November.
His absence has forced Slot to deploy center-back Jarell Quansah as a makeshift right-back, exacerbating defensive frailties amid injuries to Joe Gomez (out until May after hamstring surgery) and Alexander-Arnold (ankle).
Bradley’s injury also ruled him out of Northern Ireland’s March friendlies against Switzerland and Sweden.
While the right-back has been doing some individual training, he is not expected to be ready to face Everton.
Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson left national team duty early due to fatigue and head concussion protocols respectively.
Gravenberch, who has been ever-present in Liverpool’s midfield this season, starting all 29 Premier League matches under Arne Slot, has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad ahead of their Nations League quarterfinal clash with Spain.
But both were in training this week with Slot now revealing the latest info:
“Ryan Gravenberch is okay. Alisson trained with us as well. The last check is later today.”
“Conor Bradley is with us again but he’s only had a few sessions after being out for quite long, so we have to make a smart decision.”
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