Liverpool star feared to be out ‘until next year’ with hamstring problem

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley will be on the sidelines for an extended period, according to reports.

Bradley put in a near-perfect performance as the Reds overcame their hoodoo against Real Madrid to make it five wins from five in the Champions League, with many fans citing the highlight of the night as his thumping tackle on Kylian Mbappe as the pair played in a one-on one duel.

But the 21-year-old felt discomfort in his hamstrings and was forced off in the closing stages of the midweek win at Anfield.

Initially there were fears that the right back would be out for about four weeks.

However, following further assessments, Bradley is not expected to return until after the new year as he has six weeks to go, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

It is a huge blow for Liverpool as it means he will miss the busy festive period, which will see Liverpool play nine games in December.

Bradley was absent from the Reds squad for Sunday's clash with Manchester City and will sit out the Premier League matches against Newcastle, Everton, Fulham, Tottenham, Leicester and West Ham, as well as the Champions League match against Girona and the quarter-final of the League Cup against Zuidampton.

Liverpool were boosted by the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is fit again after a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate is on the sidelines after also picking up an injury during the win over Real Madrid.

The Frenchman wrote on Instagram: 'So frustrating to suffer this injury at the end of a great match on Wednesday evening. Now we start the recovery process, but one thing I promise is that I will come back and be the best I can be again.

'Thank you for the great support at Anfield. Inshallah we will continue and I will support the team every step of the way.”

Joe Gomez came into the team against City to partner Virgil van Dijk for the leader.

The 27-year-old was Van Dijk's most frequent partner during Liverpool's title-winning 2019/20 season, but injuries and poor form saw him lose his place in the starting XI before recently reemerging.