Bradley has impressed during pre-season for the Reds but injury means the 22-year-old sitting out the visit of the Spaniards to Merseyside.

Slot’s comments suggest it is not serious which is promising news for both Liverpool, beginning the defence of the Premier League on August 15, and Northern Ireland whose World Cup qualifying campaign is just a month away.

Club captain Virgil van Dijk and number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker plus defender Joe Gomez were also absentees for the two matches versus Athletic Club.

While Slot stated Van Dijk and Alisson will be back for Sunday’s Community Shield clash at Wembley against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace and the opening Premier League match of the 2025/26 season at home to Bournemouth on Friday week, the boss of the champions told LFC TV that ‘it is going to be tight’ for both Gomez and Bradley.

BREAKING: Arne Slot explains Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley absences from Liverpool friendlies	Arne Slot explains Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley absences from Liverpool friendlies	Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley join Liverpool absentee list

Northern Ireland supporters will be keeping a close eye on the situation with the opening World Cup qualifier in Luxembourg on September 4.

Manager Michael O’Neill is keen that all his big hitters are fit for that vital match which is quickly followed by another away game three days later against group favourites Germany.

Bradley has become a figurehead for O’Neill’s new, vibrant young Northern Ireland side which has given the Green and White Army hope of reaching a first major tournament since Euro 2016.

He is also an important player for Liverpool.

Having made his first team debut as a teenager, he excelled at Bolton Wanderers on loan before returning to Merseyside where he has shone for the Reds when selected from the start or as a substitute.

The Tyrone native has won the Premier League and Carabao Cup with his boyhood club over the last two seasons though on the flip side he has suffered frustrating injuries keeping him on the sidelines at different stages during that time.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer, this season is viewed as the one that Bradley can nail down a regular starting slot at right back though he faces stiff competition from new signing Jeremie Frimpong who has come in from Bayer Leverkusen.

Before tonight, former Dungannon United Youth player Bradley had featured in all four of Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures scoring in the first one against Preston North End.