Liverpool make Conor Bradley decision BEFORE Arne Slot has even looked at him

Liverpool have made a decision on Conor Bradley’s future - before Arne Slot has even arrived at the club and looked at the player.

Teamtalk reports that Liverpool are ready to offer Conor Bradley a new contract. The 20-year-old did receive a pay bump back in December but is still one of the lowest earners in the Reds' first-team squad.

And so Liverpool want to tie him down long-term, with what will almost certainly be a significant pay rise.

It's particularly notable because they've appeared to come to this decision before Arne Slot has even looked at Bradley. It suggests there's very little input from Slot on the matter - or he's just completely on board from what he's seen from afar.

Of course, Liverpool have named Slot as a head coach, rather than as a manager. One of the distinctions is that matters like contracts and transfers are largely taken out of his hands.

That's not to say he won't have a say - it would be foolish not to involve the person deciding who plays - but Slot certainly doesn't lead the charge on contracts. Here's a fine example of just that.

But above all, it's a demonstration of Bradley's ability and the faith Liverpool have in him.

Conor Bradley's future

Bradley has been consistently talked up by Jurgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders - the latter even suggested he'd like to sign the right-back for RB Leipzig. There really shouldn't be any doubt over his quality, then.

And it'll be an interesting season for the Northern Irishman. A new manager, of course, and a new system to learn. There's also constant speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold's role - and whether this is the time he moves permanently into midfield.

If so, Bradley could find himself as Liverpool's first-choice right-back before long. However, there's a long way to go before anyone can say that.

What we can say is that Bradley is almost certainly sticking around for the long term - and that Liverpool are better off for it.