Liverpool’s right-back problem: Conor Bradley’s injury leaves a big hole that needs to be filled – should January transfer plans change? | Football news

Liverpool have had defensive problems all season. Fitness, form and bad luck all played their part. And now the options beyond the back row are very limited.

Conor Bradley is the latest addition to the injury list after suffering a season-ending knee injury against Arsenal last week. He managed just 12 Premier League games and will now not feature for Liverpool again until 2026/27.

Summer signing Giovanni Leoni was lost to injury before the campaign got into gear and Joe Gomez has been out of the treatment room for the better part of the year. Jeremie Frimpong, a small defender by trade but by necessity, also missed spells.

All this amounts to a headache for Arne Slot, especially at right back. Bradley was taught to be a natural successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player with less natural intelligence but better defensive sense, who has proven himself against the best in big games.

There were a few GIF-worthy moments. His well-timed performance to dispossess Kylian Mbappe at full-back and bag Vinicius Junior in the next meeting with Real Madrid both proved his fitness. For his season to end like this feels like he’s having a brutal time.

And for Liverpool, it’s yet another big blow without the necessary cover. Bradley has been deemed vital to the Slot’s success from here on out, and with more games on the horizon (potentially 12 between now and the end of February), the need for a quick solution is obvious.

What options are on the table right now?

Trust Gomez at right back

When you consider Gomez’s devastating record, playing back in three different positions feels like a huge gamble. Gomez is the only official cover for both Virgil Van Dijk and Iraima Konate, who should be unavailable, and a stand-in full-back.

A 28-year-old has many qualities, but availability is not one of them. Since the start of the season, Gomez has only managed 90 minutes three times. He has made nine Premier League appearances in the last 18 months, totaling 767 minutes. Mr Reliability is not.

What Gomez offers is 1v1 durability and exceptional flexibility. When fit, he shows impressive athleticism, with the ability to combine roles across the back line and contribute going forward.

It’s a small sample size, but Liverpool have yet to concede a goal when Gomez has started at right back in the Premier League this season and averages more touches in the opposition box than any other option.

But faith in Gomez is equally hindered by his absence. Slot is well aware of his limitations. So, if that is only a partial solution, what other solutions should be considered?

Frimpong to play a dual role

The problem with playing Frimpong back is that he is not. That was not his place at Bayer Leverkusen. Hamstring issues aside, the 25-year-old lacks the defensive mindset needed to play in the back four. Konate’s checkered season isn’t helped by the right side’s vulnerability.

From week to week, Frimpong in this position is a scouting threat depending on the level of the opponent. “I fell in love with him again today,” said Slot after defeating League One side Barnsley on Monday. Contrast that with the start of Liverpool’s horrific slump back in September, with Slot accusing Frimpong of being “very annoying” in the Crystal Palace defeat.

There is no doubt that the narrative will continue to change. Frimpong is a player designed to go forward, not track back. Liverpool open games very effectively when they play and Slot likes his “pure human ability” and raw speed; all offensive features.

The manager’s concluding soundbite from the win over Barnsley should serve as a guiding principle for Frimpong at fullback in the future: “I have to treat it the right way.” It is even clearer if Mohamed Salah returns from the Afcon looking for comfort without a defensive role.

Rotate between non-full-backs

The slot has had to use linebackers as emergency cover this season, to varying degrees of success.

Both Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones were victims. What Slot gains by selecting central midfielders and backs, is disproportionate to what is taken. This is a stopgap measure, far from a long-term solution. Opponents know this and start targeting the wide area the midfielder plays the inevitable position that is offered.

Each week cannot be a new journey of discovery. Throughout Liverpool’s 11-game unbeaten run, now dating back to November in all competitions, Slott has chosen to start Gomez four times, Bradley five, and Frimpong twice (not surprisingly against bottom club Wolves and Barnsley). There is no midfielder in sight.

The gloss-over method has reached its natural end.

Sign Guehi – or someone else?

And that brings us neatly to the last option: sign someone.

Liverpool’s position is that if a top target is available they will be alert and responsive. Many clubs use the vague term ‘market opportunity’ when asked if business could happen in January, because trade is notoriously difficult in this window.

This gives the illusion they are open to using if not the confidence fans want to hear. It’s a decent way to keep the powder dry.

Liverpool believe Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi can be used at right back as a back three if they go forward, but they will be forced to sign Guehi if others step up their pursuit. He becomes a free agent in June, but perhaps, against the current climate, a proactive approach is needed.

High quality defenders have always been a hallmark of Liverpool’s style, which is why they signed Milos Kerkez in the summer. Finding an acceptable balance of risk and reward has proven difficult, however, despite large investments.

The Liverpool board are unlikely to respond to this season’s problems with a lax response but must consider what they want from the current campaign. If lips are always ambitious they may not have much choice.

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