With so many ‘world-class’ talents having nailed down a spot in Arne Slot’s starting XI, the patience of Liverpool’s fringe players has been tested over the last few months.
Jarell Quansah continues to be linked with Newcastle United and, as Liverpool hope that Ibrahima Konate will follow Virgil van Dijk in putting pen to paper on a new deal, opportunities are likely to remain few and far between.
Harvey Elliott was linked with Bournemouth this week. Heading into the final few days of April, Elliott is still awaiting his first start of the 2024/25 campaign.
As for Conor Bradley, while Arne Slot feels that regular football week-in, week-out will represent the ‘next step’ in the youngster’s development, that is something he has been unable to guarantee with Trent Alexander-Arnold still in the building.
Of course, as Alexander-Arnold closes in on a move to Real Madrid, Slot’s second campaign in the Liverpool dugout should also coincide with Bradley’s first as the club’s number one right-back.
Liverpool legend Sammy Lee is convinced the ‘fantastic’ Bradley is the ideal in-house replacement for the Bernabeu-bound academy graduate.
Jamie Carragher feels Bradley could save the Reds £50 million in the summer window, meanwhile. His promotion from squad option to starter meaning Liverpool do not have to go big on importing a big-name, big-money Trent successor.
But, by his own admission, this has been a ‘frustrating’ season for young Conor Bradley.
Arne Slot explains Liverpool’s Conor Bradley predicament
Slot, speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, offered few clues about any Alexander-Arnold-themed developments.
The former Feyenoord boss does, however, feel that Bradley is approaching that period in his young career when the next rung on the ladder is beginning to beckon.
“Its going be very important for him to become an even better player. [To do that, he has to] play many games in a row,” Slot says during his Friday press conference.
“Unfortunately for him, there is also another full-back who is world class at this club with Trent, so that is probably the only reason why he hasn’t played back to back-to-back games yet because he definitely has the quality to do so.
“I think that is the next step in his development, to be able to play every week and feel that pressure. So that, at a certain moment, he doesn’t feel that pressure anymore. That might be his next step.
“But, as long as Trent is here, that is a difficult step for him to make. They are both very good full-backs.”
Bradley could play 90 minutes for the first time since November
Of course, with Alexander-Arnold seemingly destined to bring an end to a trophy-laden spell in that iconic red shirt, the opportunity Bradley has been waiting for may lie just around the corner.
The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international started each of Liverpool’s last two games but was replaced with around 70 minutes on the clock.
Slot is confident, however, that Bradley will soon be fit enough to play the full 90 for the first time since November. Possibly as early as this weekend.
The Merseyside giants can secure the Premier League title with a win on Sunday. Ange Postecoglou’s ramshackle backline should in theory offer little resistance, as Gary Neville predicts a 4-1 Liverpool drubbing of Tottenham.
“[Bradley] is getting closer and closer to 90 minutes,” Slot adds. “It’s normal, if you’ve played twice around 70 minutes, the chance of you being able to play 90 is closer and closer. But we are also taking very good care of him because he has had two injuries that were similar.
“Lets wait and see how he does today and tomorrow [in the training sessions].”
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