Liverpool will be able to select Alisson Becker and Conor Bradley from the start against West Ham United this weekend after the pair were cleared to play in the Premier League clash.
Alisson picked up a head injury during the international break as Brazil beat Colombia. He has sat out games against Argentina, Everton and Fulham since but Arne Slot confirmed on Friday that his goalkeeper would be back in contention again at Anfield.
Bradley has been sidelined with a muscle injury since February but played 23 minutes off the bench at Fulham last weekend. With Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold both missing, the right-back’s return will be welcome.
Curtis Jones has been used as an experiment at full-back while Liverpool has also played Jarell Quansah in the role. Bradley, though, is the best option available at the moment — and might take on the first-choice berth next season if Alexander-Arnold departs.
The Reds’ number 66 is expected to play again this season but is widely reported to be heading to Real Madrid. Players including Jeremie Frimpong have been linked with moves to Anfield as a replacement but Bradley is one strong candidate.
Across the rest of the team, Liverpool has a clean bill of health. Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa are among those who will be desperate to get an opportunity to impress in the final few games of the season but Slot has not tended to rotate much so far during his time on Merseyside.
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“Of course it’s a boost,” Slot said about Bradley’s return. “It’s always a boost when quality players come back. Especially quality players in that position, because I think Curtis Jones is a quality player but it’s not his favorite position.
“So to have a player in his favorite position is always — not always — but might be better for the team. And Conor has done so well for us this season, just like Trent. But when Trent then isn’t there, you always hope to look behind you and see that Conor is available.”
Liverpool.com says: With Alisson and Bradley back in contention, the chances are that they will come straight back into the starting XI. After that, there won’t be many changes from last week, even though it was a poor showing at Craven Cottage, particularly defensively.
There have been suggestions that Elliott and Chiesa should get more of a chance to impress but Slot is likelier to stick with Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah. The Dutchman hasn’t often moved away from his tried and trusted starting team and that isn’t likely to change with the Premier League title edging closer.
