Liverpool Defenders Struggle as Arne Slot Gains Fitness Edge from Two Key Players Before Man Utd Clash

Liverpool’s defenders recently played crucial roles for their national teams during international fixtures. Conor Bradley, a notable right-back for Northern Ireland, delivered an outstanding performance but will miss an upcoming key match.

Conor Bradley Shines but Misses Germany Showdown

On October 10, 2025, Conor Bradley captained Northern Ireland in a vital FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Slovakia. His efforts contributed to a 2-0 victory at Windsor Park.

However, Bradley’s second-half booking in the match has led to a suspension for the crucial encounter against Germany. Northern Ireland’s head coach, Michael O’Neill, defended the player, noting the referee’s inconsistent handling of yellow cards during the match.

Current Standing and Upcoming Matches

• Northern Ireland: 2nd in their group.
• Separated from Germany by goal difference.
• Only the top team automatically qualifies for the World Cup.
• Second place advances to the playoffs.

Bradley will not have the opportunity to face teammate Florian Wirtz, who played for Germany in their recent 4-0 victory against Luxembourg.

Other Liverpool Players in Action

Other Liverpool players also made headlines during the international break. Alexander Isak of Sweden experienced a tough outing, as his team fell 2-0 to Switzerland, placing them at the bottom of their group.

On a more positive note, Hugo Ekitike earned his first start for France, assisting Kylian Mbappe in a 3-0 win against Azerbaijan. Although Ibrahima Konate remained an unused substitute due to a quad injury, he had trained prior to the match. Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister contributed to Argentina’s narrow 1-0 victory over Venezuela in a friendly.

Under-21 Competitions

• Armin Pecsi played for Hungary’s under-21 team in a 3-3 draw against Ukraine.
• Trent Kone-Doherty featured in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-2 draw against Slovakia.

As the international fixtures progress, Liverpool fans will be keenly watching the fitness and performance of their players. The upcoming encounters will be critical for both club and country.