---
title: "Bradley Recovery Call Gives Iraola A Liverpool Right-Back Marker"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/bradley-recovery-iraola-liverpool-right-back-marker/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alison Moyes"
section: "First Team"
published: "2026-07-04T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-07-04T14:00:00Z"
---

# Bradley Recovery Call Gives Iraola A Liverpool Right-Back Marker

**Liverpool’s right-back planning has moved back into focus as Andoni Iraola prepares for the first hard decisions of his Anfield rebuild.**

The Reds have already been reported to be prioritising a new option on that side of defence, with [This Is Anfield outlining concerns around Conor Bradley’s recovery timeline](https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/06/liverpool-prioritising-right-back-signing-conor-bradley-injury-2026/) and Jeremie Frimpong’s failure to fully settle as a guaranteed first-choice defender.

The wider market picture has sharpened again after fresh reports around potential right-back alternatives, leaving Liverpool with a delicate call before pre-season properly opens.

## Iraola Faces Early Squad-Balance Call

Bradley remains central to Liverpool’s long-term thinking, but his comeback cannot be rushed. [Empire of the Kop relayed that the Northern Ireland international is targeting a return to training shortly after the new season starts](https://www.empireofthekop.com/2026/06/09/liverpool-journalist-hints-at-potential-conor-bradley-return-date/), with medical caution still expected after a lengthy absence.

- **Bradley:** viewed as a major long-term piece, but still rebuilding fitness.
- **Frimpong:** available, yet still under scrutiny as a defensive fit.
- **Iraola:** must decide whether cover is essential before the USA tour.

[Andoni Iraola’s First Words as Liverpool Manager | Premier League 26/27 (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/zX4NjHnB6Os?feature=oembed)

The key detail is timing. Iraola told [Liverpoolfc.com](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/andoni-iraola-qa-leadership-style-lfc-squad-pre-season-and-more) that pre-season minutes would be valuable for judging players, especially those with fewer senior opportunities.

That makes the next fortnight important. Liverpool have already built a clear staff structure, as covered in our [Iraola backroom-staff reset analysis](https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/iraola-backroom-staff-liverpool-pre-season-reset/). The right-back decision now gives that new group one of its first live squad tests.