Liverpool swoop for Conor Bradley replacement as Arne Slot picks signing

Robin Bairner

12 Jan 2026 12:54 GMT
6 min read

Conor Bradley, Liverpool, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Liverpool have made a quick decision to replace Conor Bradley in the January transfer window, with Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson emerging as a leading candidate to move to Anfield.

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Bradley’s season was ended when he battled for possession with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli before going down awkwardly. It was an incident that caught particular attention because the Brazil international dropped the ball on him and attempted to manhandle him off the field.

The prognosis has since emerged that the 22-year-old has suffered a season-ending knee injury that involves damage to both bone and ligaments.

Current ETV

Bradley Barcola

F (L)

PSG

Bradley Barcola

F (L)

PSG

ETV Range

€62.7M - €76.6M

Julian Ryerson to Liverpool

With Bradley set to sit out until the summer, Liverpool are ready to move for Borussia Dortmund star Ryerson, according to AbsolutFussball.

Under contract with Dortmund until 2028, the Norway international is thought to be happy in Germany, where head coach Niko Kovac has described his player as “a Viking”.

The Dortmund boss said: “You can see that Julian Ryerson is a Viking. That's how he plays football. He doesn't hold back, neither on himself nor on the opponent, and he generates a lot of drive going forward.”

However, a tempting bid from the Reds could change the situation, particularly with Yan Couto as a capable replacement in Dortmund.

No indication of what Liverpool might offer has been made, though Ryerson has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €22.6 million.

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Expert opinion: What Liverpool can expect from Ryerson

Bundesliga expert Ronan Murphy told FootballTransfers: “Julian Ryerson first came to the attention of Bundesliga fans as part of a gritty, determined Union Berlin side who were promoted into the top flight and then did their utmost to frustrate their more-fancied opponents.

“A hard-working full-back, Ryerson is more known for his defensive qualities rather than getting forward and overlapping with wingers. It was this solidity that helped him and Union qualify for Europe two years in a row, ultimately earning him a move to Borussia Dortmund.

“He has been used in a similar role by BVB, who have long had a history of being inconsistent at the back.

“Ryerson's no-nonsense approach has helped Dortmund build some stability at the back, especially under Niko Kovac, who has used him on both sides of the pitch. The Norwegian international is capable of delivering good crosses, but his decision-making can let him down in the final third, while he is not the strongest in the air and will not attempt to dribble past opponents.”