Liverpool injury boost as Conor Bradley returns to training

Liverpool have been handed a late-season fitness boost with Conor Bradley returning to training on Thursday. 

The 20-year-old right back suffered an ankle injury in a clash with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze just moments after the start of the second half during Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League loss last month.

Bradley limped off to be consoled by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, with the returning Trent Alexander-Arnold coming on to replace him.

Nonetheless, the Northern Ireland international is back on the grass and could now feature in Liverpool’s league showdown against Tottenham on Sunday at Anfield. 

He was pictured smiling at the AXA Training Centre and his return will be greeted with joy by many Liverpool supporters. 

Bradley has been a bright spark in the season, admirably stepping into the breach when Alexander-Arnold sustained a knee injury in January and again in February. 

Manager Klopp earlier this season said that Bradley had been his side's 'best player' during Alexander-Arnold's absence.

"I have to say, Conor is Conor," he said. "Conor was for a while our best player. He came on and was a revelation. Incredibly good. He is really exceptional as well so it is really nice to have these kind of players around.

Having enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season, Bradley has played 22 times for the Reds’ first team this season, winning great acclaim. 

He has played 10 times in the Premier League, providing three assists and opening his goalscoring account back in January in a game against Chelsea.

Liverpool's Champions League return confirmed

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Champions League qualification was confirmed with Spurs’ defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night. 

The Reds are now mathematically secure in the top four, making their return to Europe’s top table after a one-year absence. 

A new competition format will be waiting for the Merseysiders, with the group stage being dissolved and a 36-team league format taking its place. 

Sides will each play eight matches - four at home and four away - against eight different teams, with the top eight sides in the league table moving to the last 16 directly. 

Teams finishing ninth to 24th will face a two-legged play-off before their place in the knockouts can be confirmed.