1 week ago
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Liverpool can breathe a sigh of relief after Conor Bradley managed to avoid receiving a suspension during the Reds' emphatic 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Northern Ireland international was brought on as a 19th-minute substitute to replace Jeremie Frimpong as Arne Slot's team fought back from behind to secure a convincing triumph in Germany.
Bradley had already received yellow cards in Liverpool's opening two Champions League fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray. Should he have been cautioned once more against Eintracht Frankfurt, the full-back would have faced a one-match suspension under UEFA regulations, ruling him out of the Reds' upcoming Champions League encounter at home to Real Madrid.
According to Article 63.02: "From the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)."
However, despite his early appearance against Frankfurt, Bradley escaped such disciplinary action against the German side. While he remains just one booking away from a ban, he is at least available to face Madrid on November 4.
His availability will provide a welcome lift for Liverpool following Frimpong's withdrawal due to a hamstring problem on Wednesday.
The Reds also witnessed record signing Alexander Isak substituted at the interval owing to a groin concern. Slot confirmed following the final whistle that the Netherlands international had suffered a hamstring injury and was now anticipated to be out of action for several weeks.
"It's not helpful with Alisson and Giovanni Leoni already out that I expect Jeremie Frimpong to definitely be out now for a few weeks," the Dutchman admitted. "Jeremie is a hamstring issue. He came back from a hamstring injury a few weeks ago. Now, unfortunately, he's had to go off."
A summer acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen, Frimpong has already been absent for two fixtures this campaign due to a prior hamstring problem. He was withdrawn during his Premier League bow against Bournemouth in August, and didn't feature again until following the September international window.
With Bradley unavailable for Liverpool's opening two encounters of the season owing to his own hamstring complaint sustained during preseason, Slot has been compelled to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai as an emergency right-back on multiple occasions throughout the campaign thus far.
Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo remain viable alternatives if needed, though the Reds will be hoping that Bradley can remain injury-free with the 22-year-old now potentially poised for a sustained spell in the Liverpool first team during Frimpong's absence.
With Bradley being the only natural right-back option available for the Reds, Slot will be relieved that he won't be left without him due to suspension in the upcoming match against Madrid. Liverpool is preparing to face off against its former vice-captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, when the team welcomes the La Liga outfit to Anfield next month.
In addition, while Bradley is just one European yellow card away from a suspension, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are the only other players in Slot's team who have received bookings in the Champions League this season.
Both were given yellow cards in last month's loss to Galatasaray, putting them at risk of a one-match ban if they receive a second yellow card in any of Liverpool's upcoming European matches before the quarterfinals end.
Gravenberch was absent from the trip to Frankfurt due to a twisted ankle, but Slot had previously expressed optimism that the Dutch player would be ready for the Reds' match against Brentford on Saturday.
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