Liverpool ready move to sign “very exciting” Bradley upgrade

So then, the pointers lead toward Ibrahima Konate‘s eventual exit from Liverpool at the end of his £70k-per-week contract, set to expire this summer.

Adding depth and bona fide quality is more than just a priority for the Merseysiders, who must successfully refashion an ailing backline in 2026 if they hope to compete for the biggest prizes in football over the coming years.

Conor Bradley‘s recent season-ending injury complicates matters, with FSG potentially being forced into winter action in the transfer window. This they did not want, but Arne Slot may be sold well short without some form of reinforcement.

Liverpool are not quite threadbare after last summer’s spending spree, but there’s no question that this is a team lacking depth, and so plans are being drawn for a new right-back before the end of the month.

Liverpool’s plans to replace Conor Bradley

It was an agonising evening for Bradley, whose first-half effort from range thundered against the bar before he injured his knee in the closing stages, thus prematurely curtailing his campaign.

Jeremie Frimpong has returned from injury and found a vein of fine form, and that is a big plus for Slot’s side, but with Joe Gomez the only natural right-sided alternative, it’s clear that FSG should add some depth before the winter market closes.

And while the American owners are unlikely to do anything hasty, they might want to make a move for Feyenoord prospect Givairo Read, with the 19-year-old having been tracked by the Anfield side of late, as per TEAMtalk, with Bayern Munich also keen.

Last season, Chelsea showed an interest in the Amsterdam-born defender, and were told to stump up £25m. That figure is bound to be higher now, with Read going from strength to strength in his homeland.

Why Givairo Read could be an upgrade on Bradley

Read is young, but he’s already gathered so much quality together and fashioned for himself a technically impressive skillset and a reputation as a “warrior”, as was noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig for a Champions League display against AC Milan last term.

A strong runner and creative besides, the teenager would fit right in at Liverpool, with shades of Bradley’s own breakneck style that could see him become the perfect rival for the Northern Irish international.

He covers so much ground, and Sofascore record that Read has won 61% of his ground duels in the league this season, underscoring a natural defensive aptitude to partner his flashier side.

Looking at how he compares to Liverpool’s 22-year-old defender, you can also see how he has the capacity to end up stripping Bradley, a fan favourite on Merseyside but sadly injury prone to the point of a detrimental impact on his development.

Liverpool will retain faith in Bradley and his chances of bouncing back from this latest setback and continuing to rise higher in his berth in Slot’s side, but there’s no question that he cannot afford many more blows, especially if Liverpool sign Read.

A “very exciting” up-and-coming defender who “can do almost everything”, as has been said by journalist Bence Bocsak, Read might just end up surpassing Bradley and becoming a mainstay for the reigning Premier League champions.

It goes without saying that playing Premier League football is of a higher standard than competing in the Dutch Eredivisie. That is objective.

However, Read has all the tools to become a complete full-back for a team like Liverpool, and though Bradley is a promising player, the best ability is availability, as they say, and Read could find a gap to shift into if welcomed to Anfield in 2026.

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