Conor Bradley's season-ending knee surgery increases Liverpool's defensive uncertainty; with Jeremie Frimpong the only senior natural right-back, punters may favour bets on Both Teams To Score or Over 2.5 goals in Liverpool matches and reassess clean-sheet and handicap markets until defensive depth is restored.
Conor Bradley set for surgery after significant knee injury
Conor Bradley will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a significant knee injury in Liverpool's goalless draw at Arsenal. Scans revealed he avoided an ACL rupture but suffered damage to bone and ligaments in his left knee. The right-back is scheduled for surgery in the coming days and will begin rehabilitation at the club's training centre; no timeframe has been provided for his return.
Immediate impact on Liverpool's right-back options
Bradley's absence leaves Liverpool light at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong is the only senior natural option in that position, while Joe Gomez remains the alternative but would leave central defence thin. Manager Arne Slot has already used midfielders as makeshift full-backs this season, and academy or fringe options have yet to prove reliable in Premier League action.
Squad depth and tactical consequences
Loss of Bradley compounds Liverpool's defensive selection headaches and could force Slot to adjust formation or rotate players more frequently. Expect conservative defensive setups in key away fixtures, and potential reliance on backup or versatile players to cover full-back roles, which may disrupt attacking rhythm from wide areas.
International implications
Bradley will miss Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off campaign, including their semi-final with Italy, and his participation in a possible finals would now be uncertain. The injury is a significant blow to his international prospects in the short term.
Player record and context
Bradley made 21 appearances this season while staking a claim to the right-back role following Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure. Fitness issues have plagued parts of his rise, making this the most serious setback of his Liverpool career so far. The incident also sparked on-field controversy during the Arsenal game.
Betting considerations for punters
With Liverpool's right-back depth weakened, bettors may want to adjust expectations: markets for clean sheets could look less attractive, while totals and Both Teams To Score markets may offer value. Match odds and handicaps could shift in fixtures where defensive stability is crucial, so monitor team news and defensive selections closely before placing bets.
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Conor Bradley will miss the rest of the season after Liverpool confirmed the full-back has suffered a significant injury.
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