Andoni Iraola will be without Conor Bradley for a substantial period as the Liverpool right-back is sidelined with a knee injury.
Viewed by many as the next right-back prodigy on Merseyside following Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid switch, the Northern Irishman has had a torrid time with injuries.
Sidelined for over 20 games with numerous muscle injuries in the 2024/25 campaign, he sustained his worst setback yet against Arsenal in Gameweek 21 of the 2025/26 Premier League term.
Bradley was stretchered off in the 94th minute of the Emirates encounter, subsequently undergoing surgery on bone and ligament damage in his left knee.
We've taken a look at the earliest possible date that Bradley could return to first-team action for Liverpool.
When is Conor Bradley expected to return from injury?
While Liverpool are yet to place a timeframe on Bradley's return to first team action, reports suggest that he won't be available for selection until the latter stages of the calendar year.
Reliable journalist David Lynch reported in June that the 23-year-old is targeting a return to training shortly after the start of the 2026/27 season, but manager Andoni Iraola has stressed that the right-back is still some way off being available.
The club will take a cautious approach in reintegrating Bradley given his past injury worries, and so this could even push his return date back to the start of 2027.
Jeremie Frimpong's performance in Liverpool's opener against Newcastle sparked concern about the right-back position, with a number of Reds supporters urging the club to add depth in the position in the absence of Bradley.
