Liverpool defender Conor Bradley suffered an ankle injury during a match on Sunday and is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks. The 20-year-old was forced off the pitch shortly after the second-half restart, adding to Liverpool’s woes that day. However, there is some good news as initial reports suggest that Bradley’s ankle issue has settled quickly and is not as serious as first feared.
Scans on Bradley’s ankle have revealed that the injury is not as bad as initially feared, which means he should be able to return to action in approximately three weeks’ time. This timeline aligns with Tottenham’s visit to Anfield on May 5, with only two more league games remaining after that (against Aston Villa and Wolves). Unless there is a significant turnaround in Liverpool’s performance in their match against Atalanta, there won’t be any additional fixtures added to the schedule.
Bradley’s injury adds him to the growing list of absentees for Liverpool, including Joel Matip, Thiago, and Ben Doak. However, manager Jurgen Klopp has also been able to welcome back several key players recently, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold. Against Crystal Palace, Alexander-Arnold was intended to have a limited role in his return from injury. The upcoming match against Atalanta will pose a crucial decision for Klopp, as he must choose between starting Alexander-Arnold or Joe Gomez.
Despite his injury setback, Bradley has had an impressive breakout season, featuring in 22 matches and contributing with one goal and six assists. While it is unfortunate that he will be out for a few weeks, it is a relief that his absence coincides with the return of other key players.
Fans can expect to hear more updates from Klopp when he speaks to the media in Italy on Wednesday evening. It will be interesting to see how Klopp manages the squad and navigates through this challenging period, especially with important matches on the horizon.