Liverpool boss Arne Slot has hinted that he views Conor Bradley as the natural successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold – after insisting the Reds will not be busy in the transfer market this summer. Bradley’s bid to prove he can be the man to replace Real Madrid-bound right-back Alexander-Arnold has been damaged by two injuries this season, while fellow defender Joe Gomez has also suffered fitness issues.
But Slot feels that both players have paid a price for being in and out of the team – and the Dutchman suggested that he doesn’t expect to make widespread changes to the squad that is romping towards the Premier League title given that Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract and skipper Virgil van Dijk is expected to follow suit.
Slot said: “There are not so many reasons to make it a busy summer because we are quite well-placed in the league and we have only lost in the Champions League against an incredible side who we were better than for 90 minutes at our stadium.
“Conor, I think, has only had one or two injuries this season and was fit for most of the season before. Joe has a bit more of a history of injuries, but it’s also very difficult for a player like him (to stay fit) because he’s been in and out of the team more than he might want.
“To keep those players fit is always more difficult than the ones who play almost every game. I don’t look at Conor as a player who can only play 20 games a season because last season he was fit all the way through and this season he’s had two injuries.
“I think we can only judge Conor on his fitness if he is good enough, which I think he is, to become a regular starter for us.”
Bradley, 21, has become a Kop idol with his attacking endeavour and love of a blockbuster tackle and has been an able deputy for Alexander-Arnold whenever called upon.
He has just returned to action after a hamstring problem, but has been limited to just nine starts this season. Gomez has been missing since February after undergoing surgery to repair a hamstring injury.
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