'As long as Trent is here' - Arne Slot makes Conor Bradley admission and shares update on Liverpool defender

Arne Slot talked Conor Bradley

Arne Slot has admitted that Conor Bradley needs to play more to keep improving as a player but conceded his pathway has been blocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold

Bradley has made 53 appearances for the Reds, with 25 of them coming this season.

However, the 21-year-old has made only 14 Premier League starts to date.

And while he has started Liverpool’s last two games as they beat West Ham United and Leicester City to close in on the Premier League title, the return of Alexander-Arnold from injury in the latter match has put Bradley's place under threat.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is anticipated to leave the Reds this summer with the England international expected to join Real Madrid when his contract expires

This would open the door to Bradley to establish himself as Liverpool’s first-choice right-back.

Arne Slot admits it is only the presence of Alexander-Arnold that has stopped the Northern Ireland international from playing more, conceding it will be difficult for Bradley to keep developing for all as long as his vice-captain remains at Anfield.

“It is going to be very important for him to become an even better player than he is now to play many games in a row,”

“Unfortunately for him, there is also another full back who is world class at this club as well with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“That is probably the only reason he hasn’t played back to back to back-to-back games yet because he definitely has the quality to do so.

“I think that is the next step for him in his development, is to play every single week and feeling that pressure.

“And at a certain moment, that probably doesn’t feel like pressure anymore.

“That might be his next step, but as long as Trent is here, it’s going to be a difficult step for him to make as well. But they are both very good full-backs.”

asked whether Bradley is now fit enough to play 90 minutes after injury, Slot said: “It depends on the upcoming two sessions. He was getting closer and closer to 90 minutes.

“The first and second one (appearances) were around the same amount of minutes.

“And it’s normal if you have played twice around 70 minutes, then the chance of you being able to play 90 is getting closer and closer.

“But we are also taking very good care of him because he had two injuries that were similar.

“Let’s wait and see how he does today and tomorrow, if he is able to play, and if he is able play, if he can make 90.”

Meanwhile, Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez is on track to return before the end of the season after previously undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury.

Slot added

“If his recovery goes well, he would be able to in the last one or two games of the season but he is still not training with us yet,”

“But he is coming closer and closer to training with the team.

“But then he has been out for a long time. We were just discussing Conor Bradley. It took him a while before he could even come in, let alone start.

“I think he will be available in the last one, two or three games if his recovery goes the way as planned.”