“Hopefully…” – Arne Slot hints that a Liverpool player could make a return from injury later this week.
Arne Slot is optimistic that one of Liverpool’s injured players could return to action within the next week.
Liverpool currently have close to a full squad available during a demanding spell of four games in ten days. The main senior absentees are Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Conor Bradley, and Jeremie Frimpong.
Lewis Steele reported on Monday that Frimpong is already “back on the grass” and targeting a return in about two weeks, but his fellow right-back may be ready even sooner.
Speaking at his press conference before Wednesday night’s match against Sunderland, Slot was asked for updates on both defenders.
Slot provides updates on Bradley and Frimpong
The Liverpool boss said (via Liverpool Echo):
“Conor took part in team training yesterday for the first time. He’s not at 100% yet, so we have to be careful. Don’t get your hopes up too much.
“We expect something similar with Jeremie next week. Unfortunately we’re playing so many games, so he’ll miss a few. Hopefully Conor will be available for Leeds on Saturday.”
Encouraging signs for Bradley and Frimpong
With both unavailable for the Sunderland game, Joe Gomez is likely to continue at right-back after impressing in the 2-0 win at West Ham.
If Bradley isn’t ready to start at Leeds, Liverpool will hope Gomez can manage another intense week, given his limited minutes this season outside the Carabao Cup.
Still, Bradley seems close to a valuable return during a crowded schedule, and Frimpong shouldn’t be far behind. The Dutchman could even be used on the right wing once Mo Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December.
The hope now is that once both right-backs are back, they can stay fit. Bradley has already missed 59 games since the start of 2023/24, while Frimpong has endured two injury lay-offs since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Liverpool will be praying those numbers don’t continue to rise between now and the end of the season.
