Paul Merson says Conor Bradley should be an ‘automatic selection’ at right-back for Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday.
The Sky Sports pundit has tipped the ‘incredible’ Northern Ireland international to be picked ahead of summer signing Jeremie Frimpong, who has yet to start a Premier League match following his top-flight debut in the 4-2 win over Bournemouth.
Bradley, who earns £75,000 per week, started Liverpool’s last two Premier League matches – a 2-1 win over Everton and a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, the Reds’ first loss of the campaign.
Dominic Szoboszlai has also been used at right-back this season and started in the role for Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek.
Conor Bradley Tipped to Start v Chelsea
Merson, writing for Sportskeeda, tipped Bradley to start ahead of both Frimpong and Szoboszlai for Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea, and predicted Slot’s front three for Saturday’s visit to Stamford Bridge:
“I still think Slot will go with Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Mo Salah as the front-three though.
“Chelsea have a strong midfield with Moises Caicedo in there, so Liverpool must play Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai through the middle.
“I also expect Milos Kerkez to retain his place at left-back even though Andy Robertson is the better defender out of the two. I just think Robertson isn’t a good fit for this game since he could be up against Neto.
“Conor Bradley should also be an automatic selection at right-back for Liverpool.”
Szoboszlai found himself in the defensive line for the fourth time on Tuesday after making three Premier League starts at right-back following Frimpong’s injury in August.
The Hungary international conceded an early penalty when he accidentally caught Baris Alper Yilmaz in the face while attempting to challenge the Galatasaray forward in the box.
Victor Osimhen converted the spot kick to hand Liverpool their second consecutive defeat, following a 2-1 loss at Palace last weekend.
Frimpong also made the starting line-up for Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat in Turkey, taking up position on the right wing after Slot opted to bench Mohamed Salah.
The Dutch defender was forced to miss a few weeks of action after suffering a hamstring setback and has played just 19 minutes of league football since, with Bradley and Szoboszlai mostly sharing right-back duties.