Liverpool searching for Conor Bradley replacement as transfer ruled out

Liverpool is assessing right-back options after Conor Bradley suffered a season-ending knee injury during the recent Premier League draw against Arsenal at the Emirates

Conor Bradley will miss the rest of the season(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool is not eyeing Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson as a replacement for Conor Bradley, according to reports in Germany.

The Reds are said to be urgently exploring various options during this month's transfer window after Bradley was ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season. Barcelona is another club rumored to be interested in Ryerson, who also plays for Norway. Speculation linking the 28-year-old defender with Sunderland and Wolves has also resurfaced from the summer.

Daniel Banjaqui, Oscar Mingueza, and Vanderson are among other defenders whose names have been associated with Liverpool since the weekend. Bradley's season came to an abrupt end after he suffered a severe knee injury during the goalless draw with Arsenal and is set to undergo surgery in the coming days.

The Athletic suggests that the club is hopeful of his recovery in time for the start of preseason this summer.

The same outlet also reports that the Reds will not make a permanent signing to fill Bradley's void, but they haven't completely ruled out the possibility of a temporary replacement, potentially on loan.

This approach is reportedly also being applied to long-term absentees Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni.

Bradley suffered the injury against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)

Leoni's season was cut short after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during the League Cup third-round victory against Southampton at Anfield in September, while Isak is also sidelined indefinitely due to a fractured fibula and ankle injury sustained during the 2-1 win over Tottenham last month.

Arne Slot shared his thoughts on Bradley after defeating Barnsley, calling the injury a "big blow" for the squad and reflecting on the Northern Ireland international's progress in recent years.

Slot said: "First of all, let's talk about him because Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving, and Conor Bradley already replaced him a few times last season really well, and the year before I came, he also had a good spell.

"He felt, and I felt the same, that this is going to be your time.

"And he missed so many games already because of mainly hamstring issues, and coming back from that and being in a team, progressing, getting better and better, staying fit. Then something like this happens.

"In a season before it started, where he thought, 'This has to be my season' - and I thought the same - to maybe play six, seven, or eight games is a big blow for him.

"And I also think about Northern Ireland trying to reach the World Cup.

"So it is an enormous blow for him, but as a result of that, it is a big blow for us as well. Because I hope you don't think I would like to play Dominik Szoboszlai as a right full-back."