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Liverpool will kick off the first match of the competitive season when Arne Slot travels to Wembley to face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

Slot will be eager for a better trip to the capital on Sunday, with the Dutchman’s sole appearance at Wembley came in the Carabao Cup final loss against Newcastle United.

However, the Liverpool boss has the benefit of fielding a new-look side following Richard Hughes’ near £300 million exploits in the transfer market this summer, with the spending set to continue.

While the Reds continue to chase Alexander Isak, the current squad must focus on the task at hand and ensure the side begins the campaign on the right track.

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The double-header friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday gave Slot a final opportunity to run the rule on his squad, with youngster Rio Ngumoha impressing, but it appears Liverpool will travel to Wembley with one notable absentee.

According to The Athletic reporter James Pearce, Bradley is a “major” fitness concern ahead of the Community Shield and is expected not to travel with the squad.

Although Bradley’s absence will give Jeremie Frimpong the opportunity to stake a claim for the right-back spot – he is expected to start in the position against Palace.

Bradley has suffered with fitness concerns throughout his Liverpool career, but ahead of what is undoubtedly his most important campaign to date, he faces a race against time to be declared fit ahead of the new season.

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The 22-year-old has missed a total of 48 matches across all competitions since breaking into the first team in the 2023/24 season.

His absence was eased by the presence of Alexander-Arnold as the undisputed choice at right-back, but Bradley impressed every time he stepped onto the pitch for the Reds, enjoying his most productive season last term with 19 Premier League outings.

And despite Slot’s positive injury update on Alexis Mac Allister ahead of Sunday, Bradley will be missing a golden opportunity to establish himself as the starting right-back.

The Dutchman has not arrived at Anfield to sit on the bench, and his performances across pre-season have Frimpong likely to outmuscle Bradley in the battle to start for the Reds.

Of course, Bradley’s injury setback allows Frimpong to have a head start in the race, and an impressive display against Crystal Palace would surely cement his place in the side for the Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Frimpong recorded double-digit goal contributions in all competitions across his final three years at Bayer Leverkusen, albeit he played a more advanced role in Germany.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Nevertheless, it is advantage to Frimpong as things stand – Bradley has undeniable potential, but his knack for picking up injuries at crucial points in the season could ultimately lead to his downfall.

The pair will share minutes for the Reds across the campaign as Slot aims to compete on all fronts at Anfield; on the other hand, one will be preferred over the other in the crucial games, and the Liverpool faithful will be eager to see who comes out on top.


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