Liverpool have received a huge fitness boost ahead of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, with Arne Slot confirming that Conor Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister are back in training.
The news raises the possibility of a fully fit Liverpool squad for the first time this season.
Bradley missed the opening two games of the season after a pre-season injury but returned for the final 10 minutes against Newcastle on Monday. Mac Allister sat out the trip north after picking up a knock in training last week.
Their absences forced Slot to make tactical tweaks, with Dominik Szoboszlai filling in at right-back and Curtis Jones partnering Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.
The Newcastle match also brought a scare when Gordon’s late challenge on Virgil van Dijk resulted in him receiving a red card. Thankfully, van Dijk walked off uninjured, with Slot confirming the status of the Reds’ captain.
“Virgil is okay, which is maybe the main thing you would question.
The positive is that Conor Bradley only had one or two training sessions before the Newcastle game, and he has trained all this week. There are two days to go. Alexis has started training too. I don’t think we had any injuries coming out of the game.”
The return of Bradley and Mac Allister is more than just a boost to squad depth. Bradley’s absence exposed Liverpool’s right-back depth issues, while Mac Allister’s injury deprived the midfield of creativity and ball progression. Their inclusion allows Slot to restore positional balance and tactical flexibility.
Bradley can resume his natural role on the right, while Mac Allister can orchestrate midfield play alongside Gravenberch and Jones, offering vision, passing range, and attacking impetus against Arsenal’s high-pressing style.
Sunday’s clash is shaping up to be one of the early defining tests of the season. Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for the last three seasons and arrive in strong form. Slot has repeatedly warned his side that improvement is essential to take three points at Anfield.
The potential for a fully fit squad carries psychological benefits, too. Players like Szoboszlai and Jones, who were deployed in makeshift roles against Newcastle, can now return to positions suited to their strengths, allowing the team to operate with greater cohesion.
Van Dijk’s avoidance of injury in the Gordon incident ensures Liverpool can maintain their defensive leadership.
Looking ahead, Liverpool’s early-season injury concerns and decision to tweak players positions could prove crucial in a congested calendar, particularly with Champions League league stage commitments.
The ability to rotate players without compromising quality, press intensity, or tactical balance will be vital if the Reds are to sustain a title challenge in both competitions.
