Liverpool scrap right-back signing as Bradley returns

Liverpool have halted plans for a right-back signing after Conor Bradley is expected to return to first-team training. The club's transfer activity this summer included numerous rumors, but Bradley's imminent comeback removes the immediate need for a new defender. Bradley, a 22-year-old Northern Ireland international, suffered a knee injury in a Premier League match against Arsenal on 8 January 2026. The injury ended his 2025/26 season and kept him out of the end‑of‑season period. He remains under contract with Liverpool until 30 June 2029 and is now in the final stages of rehabilitation at the AXA Training Centre. The right‑back position at Anfield has changed significantly, with Trent Alexander‑Arnold departing last summer and Jeremie Frimpong rotating in the role. New head coach Andoni Iraola will assess Bradley alongside the existing options for the 2026/27 campaign. Liverpool’s summer transfer window saw the club linked with several deals after spending over £400 million in 2025. Exits and injuries had prompted a search for right‑backs, but Bradley’s projected return shortens the list of targets. Reports differ on the timeline of Bradley’s recovery. Some sources suggested he would be unavailable until early 2027, while the latest information indicates he aims to resume full training shortly after the season starts. The club is adopting a cautious approach given his injury history. Bradley will compete for a regular first‑team role under Andoni Iraola as the new season begins, potentially ending the club’s pursuit of an external right‑back signing.