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As Liverpool prepares for the possible departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, the spotlight turns to Conor Bradley, the 21-year-old right-back poised to step into the void left by one of the club’s most influential players.

Bradley’s journey from Liverpool’s academy to the first team has been marked by significant development and promising performances, raising the question:

Is he merely filling a gap, or is he a superstar right-ack in the making?



Early Beginnings and Development

Born on 9th July 2003, Bradley began his footballing journey in Northern Ireland with clubs like St Patrick’s and Dungannon Swifts.

Bradley’s dedication and skill quickly propelled him through the ranks, making his first-team debut in a 2021 EFL Cup match against Norwich City.

Bradley’s debut made him the first Northern Irish player to feature for Liverpool since 1954, following in the footsteps of Sammy Smyth.

Throughout the match, Bradley displayed confidence and attacking intent, frequently advancing down the right flack and contributing to offensive plays.

Notably Bradley conceded a penalty during the game, which was saved by Kelleher, but his resilience was evident as he recovered this setback to continue contributing effectively in both defense and attack.

Jurgen Klopp praised Bradley’s debut, describing his performance as ‘super’.

Loan Spell at Bolton Wanderers

To gain valuable first-team experience, Bradley spent the 2022-2023 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One.

During his tenure, he made 53 appearances, scored seven goals, and provided six assists.

His exceptional performance earned him an array of accolades, including the club’s Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year (shared with James Trafford), and Players’ Player of the Year awards.

Overall Bradley’s loan spell at Bolton Wanders was instrumental in his development, providing him withregular first-team football and preparing him for subsequent opportunities at Liverpool FC.

Breakthrough at Liverpool

Returning back to Liverpool for the 2023-2024 season, Bradley seized the opportunity presented by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury.

Bradley made 23 appearances across all competitions for the club, demonstrating versatility and consistency, with his contributions including one goal and six assists.

Notable highlights from Bradley’s Premier League impact include his outstanding performance on 31st January 2024, in the 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield.

He scored his first Premier League goal and provided two assists, becoming the youngest Liverpool player to achieve such a feat since Trent Alexander Arnold in 2019.

Bradley’s performances during the 23/24 season not only solidified his position within the squad but also hinted at a promising future with the club.

Other standout performances include Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on 27th November 2024.

During the game a standout moment occurred when Bradley executed a precise tackle to halt Kylian Mbappe’s advance towards goal, earning a voracious roar from the Anfield faithful.

He also provided an assist, with his stats for the match underscoring his influence on the game.

Bradley’s performance against Real Madrid highlighted his growing importance to the team and his capability to shine on football’s biggest stages.

International Recognition

On the international stage, Bradley has been a regular for Northern Ireland since he earned his first senior cap for his country on 30th May 2021, at the age of 17.

He scored his first international goal in a 1-0 friendly win over Scotland in March 2024 and added threemore goals by the end of the year.

By August 2024, Bradley had accumulated 20 caps and emerged as Northern Ireland’s top scorer for the year, making him a pivotal figure in the national team setup.

His aggressive and passionate style of play endeared him to fans and established him as a key player for the present and future for Northern Ireland, also gaining him the opportunity to captain the national team for the first time on 11th October 2024.

At just 21 years old, Bradley’s appointment came amidst a periodof transition for the team, following the retirements of long-standing figures Steven Davis and Jonny Evans.

Northern Ireland Manager Michael O’Neil expressed confidence in Bradley’s leadership qualities, stating: “I think Conor has shown a lot of maturity.

One thing I’ve found working with Conor is that he is very, very grounded, very serious about his football.”

Bradley described the experience as “the biggest honour of my life” emphasing his pride and nature of leading his country.

The Road Ahead

With Alexander-Arnold’s impending move to Real Madrid, Bradley is poised to become Liverpool’s first- choice right-back.His rapid development, coupled with his tenacity and skill, suggests he is more than capable of rising to the challenge.

As Liverpool navigates this transitional period, Conor Bradley stands at a pivotal point in his career.

Whether he merely fills the void or emerges as a superstar right-back will depend on his ability to adapt and thrive under the pressures of top-flight football.

Concerns also lay with his injury history, with Bradley encountering several injuries during his career so far at the club, posing challenges for his consistent participation.

However he has showcased his readiness and impact following recovery, with his recent return to competitive action coming on as a substitute in the match against Fulham by providing an assist
for the Luiz Diaz goal.

Given Conor Bradley’s trajectory so far, the future looks promising for this young talent.

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