Hugo Ekitke and Conor Bradley are still "a way off" returning from their respective injuries, and the latter's absence could cause Liverpool to dip into the transfer market.

That is according to Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, who is preparing to take charge of his new side for the first time on Saturday, as they kick off their tour of the United States against Sunderland. 

Ekitike ruptured his Achilles' tendon in April, cutting short an impressive debut campaign at Anfield and ensuring he missed France's run to the World Cup semi-finals.

The Frenchman scored 17 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions in 2025-26, at least four more than any Liverpool player (Dominik Szoboszlai netted 13).

Bradley, meanwhile, sustained a serious knee injury during a goalless draw with Arsenal in January. He was not the only young Reds defender to suffer such a fate last term, as Giovanni Leoni tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut last September after arriving from Parma. 

While midfield duo Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are expected to train with Iraola's side in pre-season, Liverpool will have to wait to recover their other injured players.

"Right now, we have different situations in terms of injuries. Those three are big, big injuries," Iraola said. "It's taken them months to recover. 

"And then, apart from those three, we have Stefan and Wataru, who are close to getting to training with the group. 

"They will even start on this tour – Stefan and Wataru – maybe training not fully, but partially being with the group.

"With the others, we'll have to wait more. I think the closest one to returning is Leoni. Conor and Hugo especially are way off. We are talking about months and still a lot of time out."

Bradley's injury is a particularly difficult one for Liverpool to manage, with Jeremie Frimpong now their only fit recognised right-back going into the 2026-27 season.

And Iraola admits they may look to rectify that situation in the transfer market, as they build towards their Premier League opener against Newcastle United on August 23.

"I think it is a situation that is tricky, because we trust Conor in the long term," Iraola said. 

"We know we want him to be our right-back, but right now he is still a little bit far from returning, so with the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth... we are very thin right now. It is a solution that we are trying to find."

After facing Sunderland, Liverpool will take on Wrexham, Leeds United, Monaco and Como in their other pre-season friendlies.