Arne Slot could be forced into a defensive reshuffle as Liverpool prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League with Conor Bradley’s booking risk playing a key role in his decision.
Liverpool’s season has quickly turned from steady to concerning. Four straight defeats have left Arne Slot under mounting pressure just weeks into his tenure, and the Reds’ trip to Eintracht Frankfurt could hardly come at a more testing time.
There’s little room for reflection, though. The games are coming thick and fast, and with Real Madrid looming large in a fortnight, Slot is being forced to balance immediate needs with the bigger picture.
One area that has quietly become a recurring headache for the Dutchman is right-back a position that has seen rotation, experimentation and no shortage of scrutiny since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure in the summer.
Slot has tried several solutions. Dominik Szoboszlai, a midfielder by trade, has been asked to fill in on occasion, while Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley remain the natural options.
Bradley’s development has been one of the few bright sparks in what has otherwise been a difficult start to the campaign. His tenacity, particularly in one-on-one duels, has earned praise from within the club and beyond. But UEFA’s disciplinary rules may now force Slot’s hand.
Bradley currently sits on two yellow cards in the competition, and a third would rule him out of Liverpool’s upcoming meeting with Real Madrid a game that carries not only the weight of European prestige but also a personal narrative.
That match marks the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Anfield, and for all the sentiment around it, Liverpool cannot afford to be without their best defensive right-back. The 22-year-old has become vital in Slot’s structure, offering solidity that others simply haven’t.
Resting him against Frankfurt would therefore make sense. The German side, with their quick transitions and direct wingers, pose an obvious threat, but losing Bradley for Madrid would represent a far greater setback.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Slot has another capable option waiting in the wings. Jeremie Frimpong, still finding his rhythm after a summer move, has shown glimpses of the dynamism that made him such an exciting signing.
Frankfurt away could be the perfect stage for him to reassert himself and to prove that he can offer both attacking drive and defensive reliability when called upon.
Giving the former Bayer Leverkusen man a run-out would also provide Liverpool with a different profile at full-back. Frimpong’s ability to burst forward could offer another dimension against a Frankfurt side likely to sit deep and counter.
Bradley’s rise has been one of quiet resilience.
His crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappé last season replayed endlessly across social media epitomised his fearless nature and ability to rise to big occasions.
That same attitude will be needed against Real Madrid. If Slot’s plan works, and Bradley arrives at that fixture fresh and suspension-free, he’ll have the chance to cement himself further as Liverpool’s long-term right-back.
For now, though, Slot’s challenge is to manage the moment. Protecting Bradley might not be the romantic choice, but it could be the smartest. Liverpool need his energy, his discipline and his edge when Madrid come to town.
It’s a decision that might not grab headlines this week but under the Anfield lights, with Trent Alexander-Arnold returning and emotions running high, Liverpool will need calm heads and fearless hearts. That’s when Bradley’s story could take its next big step and when Slot’s decision this week might just look like a masterstroke.
