Liverpool returned to winning ways at Anfield with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, but while the three points brought smiles back to the Kop, the performance of one man has sparked serious debate among supporters. Conor Bradley, the young Northern Irish right-back once labelled as “special,” endured a tough evening that has left many fans and analysts questioning whether Arne Slot should continue to trust him in the starting XI.
It was supposed to be a night where everything came together for Liverpool. The home crowd was buzzing, the players looked motivated after a frustrating spell of inconsistent results, and Giorgi Mamardashvili, the goalkeeper brought in during the summer, delivered his best performance yet in a Liverpool shirt. His saves, composure, and command of the box gave the team the platform they needed to secure the win. But as the final whistle blew, the focus quickly shifted to another end of the pitch — to Bradley, who struggled throughout the game and failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity handed to him by fate and injury.
Jeremie Frimpong’s absence for six weeks due to a muscle injury had opened the door for Bradley. This was his chance to show Arne Slot that he was ready to make the right-back position his own. The fans had been patient, believing in his potential, remembering the bright flashes he showed in previous seasons. But against Aston Villa, that spark seemed completely missing. His passing was uncertain, his movement hesitant, and his decision-making questionable. Every time he got on the ball, there was a sense of anxiety rather than excitement.
There weren’t any glaring mistakes — no misplaced backpasses that led to goals or catastrophic defensive blunders — but there was something even more worrying: the lack of confidence. The Liverpool system under Slot demands bravery. It asks full-backs to press forward, to overlap, to move with purpose. Yet Bradley seemed caught in two minds, unsure whether to attack or defend, often caught out of position and giving the ball away cheaply. For a team that relies so heavily on rhythm and flow, those moments broke Liverpool’s momentum again and again.
The system Arne Slot deployed against Villa gave Bradley the perfect opportunity to shine. Andy Robertson, playing on the left, often tucked inside alongside Virgil van Dijk to form a back three during Liverpool’s attacking phases. This structure freed Bradley to push higher up the pitch, becoming an auxiliary winger in support of Mohamed Salah. Slot’s idea was simple: let Salah drift inside and allow Bradley to overlap, stretching the Villa defence. But the plan didn’t work because Bradley never looked comfortable doing what he was supposed to do. His crosses lacked precision, his touch was heavy, and his runs lacked timing.
What made matters worse was that Liverpool had built their tactical balance around this idea. With Robertson playing more conservatively, it was Bradley’s side that was meant to deliver the width and unpredictability. Instead, his hesitancy forced Salah to drop deeper and wider to help him, reducing Liverpool’s attacking threat through the middle.
For a young player still developing, bad games are expected. But this one felt significant. Bradley wasn’t just playing to impress; he was playing to secure his spot in the team during a crucial period. With Frimpong out, Arne Slot had placed his faith in him, hoping he could carry the attacking energy the Dutch full-back brought. Yet, the gap between the two players’ performances could not have been clearer.
Frimpong, even with his flaws, offers something unique — pure attacking drive. His ability to overlap, deliver crosses, and combine with Salah has been one of Liverpool’s most exciting tactical weapons this season. He plays like a winger in a defender’s shirt, constantly pushing opponents back and forcing them to defend deep. Even though he can sometimes leave gaps behind him, his energy and offensive threat make him invaluable. That’s exactly what Liverpool missed against Villa.
Bradley, on the other hand, looked cautious. There was a moment in the first half when he received the ball in space on the right flank. The crowd urged him to take on his man, but instead, he turned backward and played a safe pass to Szoboszlai in midfield. The groans from the stands were audible. That hesitation summed up his evening — opportunities missed, confidence shaken.
It’s understandable that Slot is still giving Bradley chances. After all, he’s only 21 and learning the game at one of the most demanding clubs in the world. But the Premier League does not wait for anyone. Every game matters, especially for a team with Liverpool’s ambitions. If Bradley continues to underperform, Slot may have no choice but to look elsewhere, even if that means reshuffling positions again.
Joe Gomez could be an option. The English defender has filled in at right-back many times before, and while he lacks Frimpong’s attacking instincts, he offers reliability and defensive solidity. In games where Liverpool need to control possession or defend a lead, Gomez’s experience could be invaluable. But in matches where creativity and speed are key, he’s not a long-term answer.
Dominik Szoboszlai, surprisingly, has also played at right-back this season. The Hungarian midfielder’s athleticism and versatility allowed Slot to experiment with him in that role, especially during injury crises. And though he performed admirably, it’s clear he’s more effective in his natural attacking position. Still, the fact that Szoboszlai was even considered for that spot shows how desperate the situation has become for Liverpool on the right side of defence.
Calvin Ramsay is another name that has floated around, but injuries have halted his progress and rhythm. The Scottish youngster has potential but remains too raw and untested to be thrown into a Premier League title race. For now, the focus remains on Bradley — whether he can recover his form or not will determine how long Slot keeps faith in him.
Liverpool’s right-back situation has become one of their biggest headaches this season. Under Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold used to dominate that position, redefining what it meant to be a full-back with his creative passing and vision. But since Trent’s move into midfield and Slot’s tactical adjustments, that area has become unstable. Every week seems to bring a new experiment, and none have fully worked yet.
For Bradley, that means pressure. Every touch is judged, every mistake magnified. The fans know what he can do — they’ve seen flashes of brilliance before. Last season, when injuries forced Klopp to rely on him, Bradley delivered several impressive performances, including a standout display against Arsenal where he looked fearless and composed. That earned him the “special” tag from coaches and pundits alike. But something has changed since then. Maybe it’s the new system, maybe it’s the expectation, or maybe it’s just a crisis of confidence. Whatever the cause, Arne Slot cannot afford to let it continue.
Liverpool’s ambitions this season are clear — they want to challenge for the Premier League title and make a deep run in the Champions League. To do that, every player needs to be performing at their best. Weak links cannot be ignored, especially in a defence that must remain stable if the team is to thrive. Against Aston Villa, Bradley’s uncertain display made Liverpool’s right side vulnerable. Villa didn’t fully exploit it, but stronger opponents surely will.
The timing of Frimpong’s injury couldn’t have been worse. The Dutch defender had been one of Liverpool’s standout players since joining the club, and his attacking chemistry with Salah was becoming one of the most feared partnerships in the league. When he burst down the right, defences were torn apart, and Salah thrived with the space created. Without that, Liverpool’s attack feels predictable — too reliant on individual brilliance rather than structured movement.
Frimpong’s recovery is expected to take another month, and until then, Arne Slot has difficult choices to make. Does he persist with Bradley, hoping that he regains confidence and finds rhythm? Or does he rotate the squad and rely on a more experienced, defensive-minded option to steady the ship?
It’s a delicate balance. Dropping a young player can shatter their confidence, but continuing to play someone out of form can hurt the team’s results. Slot, known for his calm and analytical approach, will need to handle this carefully. He’s already shown that he’s willing to make bold decisions — from rotating senior players to trusting youth — but the right-back position could define the next phase of Liverpool’s season.
What makes this discussion even more intense is how high the expectations are at Anfield. Every fan wants immediate results, and patience is often in short supply. The shadow of past greats — from Trent’s creative genius to the defensive consistency of the old backline — looms large. Every player who steps into that role is compared to them.
For Bradley, the next few weeks will be a test of character. He must respond, not with words, but with performances. He must show Arne Slot and the fans that he can be trusted, that he can rise to the occasion, that he can learn from his mistakes. Liverpool is a club that rewards hard work and resilience. Countless players have stumbled early in their careers before finding redemption — from Henderson to Robertson himself. The question is whether Bradley has the same fight in him.
For now, though, the general consensus is clear. Arne Slot must take Bradley out of the firing line. Not as punishment, but as protection. Sometimes a player needs time away from the starting lineup to regain confidence, refocus, and rebuild. The team’s needs come first, and Liverpool cannot afford any weak performances during such a critical period of the season.
The return of Jeremie Frimpong will be eagerly awaited. His energy, pace, and attacking threat bring balance to the team that no one else currently offers. Until then, Liverpool will have to adapt — perhaps even tweak their formation to compensate for the lack of width and drive on the right. It’s a challenge that Slot and his staff must solve quickly if Liverpool are to stay on course.
In football, moments like these define both players and managers. For Bradley, this is a wake-up call. For Slot, it’s a test of leadership. The season is long, but opportunities like these are rare. If Bradley fails to respond, the “special” tag that once surrounded his name could soon be replaced by doubts.
Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa should have been a night of celebration, a sign that the Reds are back on track. Instead, it has opened up another debate — one that touches on youth, pressure, and the demands of elite football. As Anfield celebrates the win, Arne Slot will already be thinking about the next match, the next lineup, and the tough decisions that await.
One thing is certain: Liverpool cannot afford passengers. Every player must earn their place, and right now, Conor Bradley looks like he needs a break. Whether he bounces back stronger or fades into the background will depend on how he responds to this difficult chapter. For his sake, and for Liverpool’s, everyone will be hoping it’s the former.
