Daily Red: Liverpool’s Preseason: What Comes Next for Bradley and Doak | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Preseason Focus: Bradley and Doak Among the Names In Focus

As Liverpool prepare to kick off their preseason with a tribute-filled friendly at Preston, the spotlight turns sharply to players with something to prove. On the Daily Red podcast, host Dave Hendrick laid out a candid assessment of the squad, with sharp focus on Connor Bradley and Ben Doak, two young talents who stand at a potential crossroads in their Liverpool careers.

Connor Bradley’s Fight for Relevance

Bradley has long been considered a future fixture at right-back, but as Hendrick noted, the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong may complicate that trajectory. “Bradley is seen by some as the new right back,” Hendrick said, but he stressed that “we’ve signed Jeremy Frimong who’s a better footballer at this point.” While acknowledging Bradley’s strengths, Hendrick made it clear that neither Frimpong nor Bradley have shown sufficient defensive prowess, stating, “Neither of them are particularly good defensively.”

Still, the Northern Irishman has time on his side. “With experience and with development and with coaching, he will improve defensively,” Hendrick continued. He praised Bradley’s work in build-up play, adding, “We’ve already seen how impressive he is in that middle third.” The key issue, however, is consistency and availability. “For Connor, the biggest thing is he needs to stay fit,” Hendrick warned, reinforcing that potential will remain unfulfilled unless Bradley manages a run of games without injury.

Ben Doak’s Uncertain Path

If Bradley’s issue is fitness and competition, Ben Doak’s is clarity of purpose. A year ago, he turned down the opportunity to stay as Mohamed Salah’s backup, instead opting for more regular game time out on loan. But for the second consecutive season, Doak’s campaign ended prematurely with surgery.

“Last summer he was offered the opportunity to stay and basically be the backup to Mo and he didn’t want to do that,” Hendrick revealed. “He went out on loan and for the second season in a row his season ended with surgery.” Now, with another preseason upon him, questions remain about Doak’s ambitions.

“I don’t know what he wants at the moment,” Hendrick admitted. “Does he want to go and play every single week? Is he happy to stay and fight for a place at Liverpool?” The tone suggested Liverpool may be prepared to part ways if the right offer arrives. “My guess is if a good bid comes in, we’ll accept it and move on,” Hendrick concluded, casting doubt on whether Doak fits into Arne Slot’s long-term plans.

Preseason Offers a Platform

Liverpool’s preseason, which includes six games in four weeks, offers a real platform for young players to prove their worth. Yet Hendrick was clear: not all of them will make the cut. Speaking of Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo, Hendrick said bluntly, “I don’t think it matters what [Elliott] does,” and added, “I don’t know that Endo has anything to prove,” reinforcing the sense that certain futures are already written, regardless of July performances.

For Bradley and Doak, however, the script is still being drafted. Both are young, both are talented, and both are now under the gaze of a new Liverpool regime fresh off a Premier League title. As Hendrick put it, there are “eight Liverpool players with a point to prove this preseason,” but it is Bradley and Doak who arguably carry the most intrigue.

Whether either takes the opportunity could shape Liverpool’s squad depth heading into another demanding season. And for fans, the Daily Red podcast remains essential listening for unvarnished insights like Hendrick’s — especially when young talents like Connor Bradley and Ben Doak are on the line.