Arne Slot Liverpool Transfer Update: “Everyone is Aligned” After Conor Bradley Injury

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed the club's unified stance on January transfers following Conor Bradley's season-ending knee injury. Speaking ahead of the weekend's fixtures, Slot emphasized that "everyone is aligned" on the transfer strategy, signaling no immediate moves for a right-back replacement despite the significant blow.[1][2]

Bradley, the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international, suffered severe ligament and bone damage in his left knee during the closing stages of last week's 0-0 Premier League draw at Arsenal. He collapsed near the touchline after an awkward clearance attempt, was stretchered off, and has now undergone successful surgery. In an Instagram post, Bradley shared: “A big blow but surgery is done so the comeback starts now. It won’t be for a little while but I already can’t wait to get back playing for Liverpool and Northern Ireland. Thanks for all the support.”[1][4][5][7]

No official return timeframe has been set, but reports indicate Bradley won't feature again in the 2025-26 season, potentially missing until the 2026-27 campaign. He faces a race for fitness ahead of summer's World Cup if Northern Ireland qualify via March play-offs. The injury sparked controversy when Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli threw a ball at the prone defender and tried to push him off the pitch; Martinelli later apologized publicly and privately.[1][3][5]

Liverpool, already missing teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni to an ACL injury, have no plans to enter the January market for short-term cover. Slot's side relies on versatile options like Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones at right-back. The club avoids panic buys, prioritizing pre-season readiness for Bradley over permanent signings now.[2][6]

Slot praised the squad's depth amid a defensive crisis, with Gomez and Frimpong stepping up during an 11-game unbeaten run. Bradley, groomed as Trent Alexander-Arnold's successor, had impressed with standout tackles on stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior before the cruel setback.[6]

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