Conor Bradley injury truth after claims Liverpool star ruled out until 2027

The Liverpool right-back is in the midst of a prolonged spell on the sidelines, and recent claims online have stated he is not expected back until 2027 due to the nature of his injury

Conor Bradley is expected to return from injury at some stage this year(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s diagnosis of Conor Bradley’s recent knee injury has not changed, despite social media claims, and the club still hopes he will be back in time for the start of the 2026/27 season.

The right-back suffered an unfortunate injury in the latter stages of Liverpool’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal last month and had to be stretchered off. Subsequent scans showed that Bradley had not suffered an ACL injury, but he sustained damage to bone and ligament in his knee.

Bradley underwent surgery in January and is not expected to return this season, however, his potential involvement at the World Cup this summer, should Northern Ireland qualify via the play-offs, has not been ruled out.

While no specific timeframe has been set on his recovery, Liverpool.com understands suggestions on social media that Bradley is not expected to return this calendar year do not match Liverpool’s prognosis.

Those claims were trending on X on Wednesday, fueling online talk that additions are required at right-back this summer.

"A big blow but surgery is done so the comeback starts now, " Bradley wrote on Instagram a few days after sustaining the injury. "It won't be for a little while but I already can't wait to get back playing for Liverpool and Northern Ireland. Thanks for all the support."

Conor Bradley is set to miss the rest of the season for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, an untimely injury to fellow right-back Jeremie Frimpong has left Liverpool light in that area. The former Bayer Leverkusen man is expected to return in the coming weeks, and the groin injury he sustained against Qarabag is not seen as serious.

However, it meant Wataru Endo had to slot into the back four in last week’s final Champions League league phase encounter, while Dominik Szoboszlai filled in for the 4-1 win over Newcastle United.

He is likely to do so again this weekend when the Reds host Manchester City, although Joe Gomez may be available.

Bradley has made 21 appearances for Liverpool this season(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

As for Bradley, his injury came just after he began to regain fitness following a muscular issue in November and December.

The academy graduate is seen by many as the club’s long-term right-back in the wake of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure last summer.

However, niggles and injury absences have blighted his time in the Liverpool first team. The 22-year-old has played 78 times for the club, and made 21 appearances this season before being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Bradley is one of three long-term injuries in the first team, along with Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak.