Conor Bradley is fumbling his one-and-only chance to become a regular starter at Liverpool

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Liverpool have a growing problem on the right side of their defence after a torrid run of form.

Who plays at right-back is clearly not Arne Slot’s biggest problem at the moment following three defeats on the spin.

However, with the Liverpool team looking dysfunctional and out of kilter, it is not helping that Slot cannot decide on who to play next to Ibrahima Konate.

Konate is in diabolical form himself, but the Frenchman should be afforded some sympathy in that he has a different teammate by his side seemingly in every game.

On Saturday at Stamford Bridge, Conor Bradley was given the keys to the right side of the Liverpool defence.

But, as has become an unwanted theme this season, Bradley was taken off at half-time after picking up a needless booking. The Northern Ireland star was supposed to be Liverpool’s answer to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, but so far, he has looked like anything but.

Conor Bradley has not done enough for Liverpool

Liverpool were always going to have to sign a new player after Alexander-Arnold left. That that man ended up being Jeremie Frimpong was arguably a boost for Bradley.

Frimpong is not seen as an out-and-out right-back, meaning the likelihood was that Bradley would be Slot’s go-to man.

READ MORE: Jamie Redknapp names who Arne Slot should be picking at right-back every week for Liverpool

Even after an injury disrupted his early season preparations, that does still appear to be the case. Bradley has started Liverpool’s last two Premier League games, as well as playing 90 minutes against Everton in September.

Given Frimpong is yet to get going, Bradley has had the chance to really cement himself as Slot’s unequivocal starter at right-back.

And yet, having been substituted at half-time in each of the past two matches, the Liverpool academy graduate is letting the opportunity completely pass him by.

The starting spot is there if Bradley wants it, and there is a chance he still kicks on and nails himself into the team. But after yet another sloppy performance at Chelsea, the clock is now ticking.

Liverpool may need a new right-back next summer

There is some mitigation needed here for Bradley. He is still only 22 after all and is going to have the odd disappointing performance. Niggling injuries have also not helped him to get fully going.

However, it is also clear that things cannot carry on this way. With so much disruption in other areas of the pitch as well, Slot needs to know who his best right-back is.

If Bradley and Frimpong continue their flattery to deceive, there is a chance Liverpool will have to look to the market again next summer.

In an ideal world, that would be avoided. There is a reason Bradley has been described as ‘special‘ and he does have the tools to make sure it can be.

But big improvements are needed, otherwise the man from County Tyrone risks letting a golden chance to become an undisputed Liverpool starter pass him completely by. Let that happen, and it is unlikely he will get the opportunity again.