Pep Lijnders might attempt to acquire a promising Liverpool player shortly after departing from Anfield.
Liverpool’s recently departed assistant coach, Pep Lijnders, is already eyeing a reunion with one of Jurgen Klopp’s favourites.
Lijnders left Anfield for the final time on Sunday and is now set to take over as head coach at Red Bull Salzburg.
It’s rumoured that Lijnders, Klopp’s trusted right-hand man, may target the Liverpool squad for summer signings, with one player, in particular, on his radar.
In an interview with Redmen TV, Lijnders suggested that right-back sensation Conor Bradley might join him at the Austrian club this summer.
When quizzed on the 20-year-old, along with other young Liverpool stars’ emergences into the first-team this season, Ljinders commented: “I believed really in Conor Bradley, and Jarell [Quansah] and Caoimhin Kelleher, and Harvey Elliot, and Curtis [Jones].
“But Conor, what is he doing here? […] He can come to Salzburg immediately, by the way.”
Ljinders, though partly in jest, would surely welcome the chance to work with Bradley again, given his impressive performance for the Reds.
Even after missing the start of the season due to a back injury, Bradley made 23 appearances across all competitions, effectively stepping in during Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence.
Bradley not only won over the Liverpool fanbase but also caught the eye of the manager, with Klopp swiftly acknowledging the young talent’s abilities.
Speaking in February, Klopp said: “I loved him [Bradley] from the first day, I didn’t need a lot of convincing.
“The thing is, Conor showed up extremely good in pre-season, did extremely well at Bolton [on loan].
“Comes back, looks top in pre-season, wow, and then is out for five months [or] four months, [with] like these kind of issues that only young people have, but thank God then time can sort it.”
Bradley’s future at Liverpool might depend on the decision of Arne Slot, who is expected to evaluate the Northern Irishman during pre-season.
This speculation arises amidst rumors that Lutsharel Geertruida, a key player for Slot during his time at Feyenoord, could become the 45-year-old manager’s first signing at Liverpool.
Geertruida, a natural right-back, joining Liverpool this summer could jeopardize Bradley’s chances, as his playing time would likely decrease as a result.
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