Liverpool Injury Update: Bradley and Gomez Set for Extended Absences
Liverpool’s season has been a high-wire act of exhilarating football and squad resilience, with Arne Slot’s side balancing title aspirations, cup runs, and European ambitions. But just as momentum builds, injuries threaten to unsettle the rhythm.
With a rare week off before a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, this period could be crucial in rehabilitating key players. Here’s the latest Liverpool injury update, focusing on two notable absentees.
Bradley’s Absence Leaves Liverpool Short at Right-Back
It was never going to be easy stepping into Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shadow, but Conor Bradley has done more than just deputise—he has thrived. The Northern Irish full-back, still just 21 years old, has grown into a dependable option for Slot, offering defensive solidity and attacking dynamism.
However, Bradley is now facing a spell on the sidelines, after suffering a muscle injury during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa earlier this month. He subsequently missed the 2-0 win over Newcastle, and Slot has confirmed that he is not likely to return anytime soon.
“Conor Bradley isn’t ok,” Slot admitted.
“He is out for a few weeks. It is clear that he went off with a muscle injury and it will take a while before he is back.”
While Alexander-Arnold remains first-choice, Bradley’s injury does highlight Liverpool’s growing concerns over depth, especially with fixtures piling up across multiple competitions.
Potential return date: Unknown
Gomez Injury Further Strains Defensive Depth
If there is one area where Liverpool can ill afford injuries, it is central defence. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté form an imposing duo, but the drop-off beyond them is significant.
Jarell Quansah has shown promise, yet remains raw, while Joe Gomez’s latest setback has further complicated Slot’s defensive options. Gomez had only just returned from a hamstring injury, but lasted just minutes in Liverpool’s shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth before pulling up again.
Slot’s update was grim reading for Liverpool fans.
“Joe will take quite some time,” he said.
“He is going to be out for a number of weeks because of a hamstring injury. It’s a big blow for Joe and for us. He works really hard to come back and then, first game, after two or three minutes we saw him making a sprint and now he is out for weeks again.”
This latest injury means Wataru Endo has often been asked to drop into defence, a testament to Liverpool’s lack of senior cover beyond their first-choice centre-backs. Slot even hinted that Gomez could require surgery, though that decision is yet to be finalised.
“He will miss a large part of the end of the season but we expect him to be back in the end phase of the season. He might [need surgery] but that is something we still have to assess.”
Potential return date: Unknown
