Liverpool injury update: Latest on Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and more

Liverpool Injury Update Ahead of Sunderland Clash

Liverpool’s season has unravelled at alarming speed, with Arne Slot’s side stumbling through a brutal run that saw nine defeats in twelve games across all competitions. Heavy Anfield losses to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven have added pressure on a manager who only months ago lifted the Premier League title in his debut campaign. With injuries compounding the tactical issues, the spotlight has fallen sharply on Liverpool’s depleted defensive options, especially Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.

Squad Adjustments and Selection Juggling

The trip to the London Stadium forced Slot into four significant changes, one of which included benching Mohamed Salah to accommodate the return of Florian Wirtz. Hugo Ekitike stepped aside for Isak, although he later featured after overcoming a back complaint. Alisson, now over illness, reclaimed his spot from Giorgi Mamardashvili, while Joe Gomez earned his first league start of the season despite requiring a knee injection the previous week.

That reshuffle was required because both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong remain absent, leaving Liverpool short in a position that was once considered a strength. With fixtures arriving rapidly, and Sunderland visiting Anfield in midweek, Slot faces choices that extend beyond simple rotation.

Conor Bradley Update

Conor Bradley’s injury arrived at an especially damaging moment for Liverpool. The homegrown full back has not featured since the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on November 9, later picking up a muscle issue while representing Northern Ireland in their World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg.

Slot confirmed the immediate setback after Bradley was substituted at half-time, stating: “I don’t expect Conor to be part of the upcoming 22 days, maybe he will be back before that if a miracle happens, which I don’t expect.”

This timeline likely rules Bradley out of games against Sunderland, Leeds and Inter Milan. Liverpool hope he can return to action around Saturday December 13 when Brighton visit Anfield, although much depends on his next phase of recovery.

Jeremie Frimpong Timeline

Jeremie Frimpong’s hamstring problem continues to leave Liverpool exposed at right-back. He was injured during the 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22 and has not featured since.

Slot, addressing the issue on November 21, said: “Jeremie is out just as long.” He added, “He’s not probably going to be available in the upcoming two or three weeks as well. It’s going to be interesting who all of you want to see as a right full-back.”

Photo: IMAGO

Like Bradley, Frimpong is targeting a return for Brighton at home on December 13, leaving Slot reliant on makeshift solutions in the meantime.

Giovanni Leoni’s Long Road Back

Summer signing Giovanni Leoni suffered a devastating setback during his first Anfield appearance in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton, tearing his ACL and requiring surgery. Slot outlined the severity of the situation, saying: “He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year.”

The Liverpool manager highlighted the challenge for such a young player adapting to a new environment, adding: “There’s never a positive side, but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young.”

Leoni is unlikely to feature again until late 2026, leaving Liverpool to navigate a long stretch without a promising defensive talent.