Right-back has become a real issue for Liverpool ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid last summer.
Conor Bradley had been earmarked to take over starting duties from Alexander-Arnold after two years playing second-fiddle to the Scouser, but his first season in the Liverpool XI did not go to plan.
Injuries have been a consistent problem for the Northern Irishman, and he has now missed the last seven months with a serious knee issue. Andoni Iraola has confirmed that a return for Bradley is still months away, with claims arising that Liverpool are looking for a new right-back in the transfer market.
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It will be fascinating to see who that could be, and it will instruct whether Liverpool still see Bradley as their regular starter, or if the 23-year-old may have to settle for a squad role.
With fans starting to grow nervous that the Reds will enter the new season with Jeremie Frimpong as their first-choice, and a raft of midfielders as back-up, Rousing The Kop asked the question on Facebook of whether Bradley should still be deemed good enough for a regular spot in the Liverpool back line.
Liverpool fans are still convinced by Bradley’s qualities
Had he been able to stay fit over the past couple of years, it is possible that this question mark would not exist over Bradley.
Nevertheless, injuries have not been the only worry, with his form not quite up to scratch even before he was stricken while playing against Arsenal.
But despite some less than convincing displays from the No. 12, Liverpool fans are seemingly backing Bradley all the way, with plenty pointing to his performance in pocketing Kylian Mbappe twice at Anfield as reason enough to keep faith in the academy graduate.
“Yes 100%! Had Mbappe in his pocket the last time he played against him,” one supporter said.
“He’s more than good if he’s fit. The guy is really good… If you don’t believe ask Vini Jr and Mbappe,” another added.
“His problem, is that he never backs out of a hard tackle, unlike Jones and Trent, who have never had the guts to tackle, hard,” someone else weighed in, in something of a back-handed compliment.
“He will be a better player than Trent, he is quicker and can tackle,” another claimed. “He also gets forward into good supporting positions. He may not have the passing range Trent had but he has the potential if he stays injury free.”
“No need for a debate just ask the best left winger and the best striker in the world,” was another view, and though there were some in favour of making Bradley the back-up, the vast majority believed that injury worries are truly the only thing holding him back.
“It’s not about being good because if you are in Liverpool FC means you are good,” one fan wrote. “The question is consistency and injury free. Is he injury free? I don’t think so.”
“The best quality is availability. How to forget about it?” said another.
Though it may be a while before we see Bradley out on the pitch again, fans remain happy to wait for him, but with some pointing out the deficiencies of Frimpong, Liverpool still need to make sure they are covered properly while he works his way back to full fitness.
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