Arne Slot accelerates plans to sign ‘top-class star’ due to ‘unreliable’ Liverpool player
Liverpool are weighing up the possibility of signing a new right-back in the January transfer window after Conor Bradley suffered a serious injury.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old’s absence will come as a significant blow to Arne Slot.
Liverpool confirmed Bradley has undergone surgery following a knee injury picked up against Arsenal and is likely to be ruled out until the end of the season.
Jeremie Frimpong is only natural replacement for Bradley in Slot’s squad, but has struggled to impress when called upon and is preferred in more advanced areas.
As a result, they are assessing the availability of a number of “top-class” right-backs and could make a move should the right opportunity present itself in the coming weeks.
Conor Bradley injury forces Liverpool to accelerate transfer plans
Football Insider revealed in November that Liverpool were unlikely to sign a right-back ahead of Bradley’s return from injury, but his latest blow could force their hands.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the addition of further cover in defence has now been highlighted as an important move.
“Liverpool could be forced to bring in a right-back,” he told Football Insider.
“Conor Bradley has picked up this serious injury, which is a shame because he’s done really well for Liverpool and losing him will be a blow to their plans.
“I saw quite a bit of him at Bolton and since he’s gone back to Liverpool he’s improved and used that experience and become an important player there.
“They’ve got Jeremie Frimpong who can play there, but they tend to prefer him in more attacking areas and can be unreliable defensively.
“Certainly not as much as Bradley has been, so it would mean a clear change in that department.
“As with any top club, their recruitment team will have been prepared for any eventuality, so they’ll already have a number of top-class right-backs on their radar.
“This may mean they check if any are available in January, and if they have the opportunity to bring somebody in, then they could do it.
“It will have to be somebody who improves their side and they won’t rush into anything, but if the right deal comes up they may now have to make a move.”
Liverpool set sights on centre-back targets
Alongside the addition of a right-back, Liverpool have been planning to bolster their squad at centre-back this month, with multiple options on their radar.
Football Insider revealed on 11 January that Liverpool want to sign Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet and have joined Chelsea and Arsenal in the race for his signature.
Liverpool have registered an interest in Jacquet this month, and his performances have caught the eye of a number of top clubs ahead of a potential move.
The Reds have also been linked with a move to sign Club Brugges’ Joel Ordonez, with some going as far as to suggest a deal for the centre-back was close.
However, Football Insider revealed on 10 January that Liverpool are unlikely to sign Ordonez this month, and would be more likely to do so in the summer.
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