Liverpool have already made their first 'signing' of the summer as Jurgen Klopp confirms right-back plan

With the transfer window fast approaching, much of the focus around Liverpool has centred on the need for midfield reinforcements.

After pulling out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, Liverpool have turned their attention to other midfield targets – with the number of players linked with the Merseyside club seemingly growing by the day.

While that is undoubtedly the area in most need of attention this summer, the first addition to Jurgen Klopp's senior squad is set to come in a completely different position.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool won't look to sign another right-back in the summer transfer window and will instead put their faith in youngster Conor Bradley.

The 19-year-old has impressed on loan at Bolton Wanderers this season, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in 49 appearances.

He also helped the League One side lift the Papa John's Trophy while maintaining their push for promotion to the Championship.

Klopp reveals Bradley pre-season plan

Klopp has confirmed that Bradley will be handed a chance to impress in pre-season once he has returned from his loan at Bolton.

"The plan at the moment is to bring him back and keep him, but we will see," Klopp said.

"Bring him back, go in the pre-season and then enjoy the steps he made, then we will decide together what we are doing from that moment on."

"Everybody speaks positively about him," added Klopp.

“I think one and a half years ago only a few football nerds would have known about him and now everybody knows him. That's cool and that's the first step.

"He is our boy, which I like a lot. A super mentality, which is extremely helpful, and all the rest will come - and we are all pretty sure about that. So, that's it.

"Conor will be our player, but how it is in that age group, we have to see if it makes more sense for him going on loan after pre-season or not. We will decide that then and not now."

While Liverpool have other options than Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, there have been suggestions this season that England international is lacking sufficient competition.

Joe Gomez has badly struggled for form in the current campaign, while Calvin Ramsey has managed only two appearances for the senior team since joining from Aberdeen after an injury-plagued debut season with the Reds.

Should Bradley pass his pre-season test, he could go on to cement a place in the senior Liverpool squad - potentially saving the club millions in the transfer market.

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Transfers

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan