Conor Bradley is set for a big season next term after the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be leaving this summer.

The Northern Ireland international has impressed when given a chance under Arne Slot this term with Bradley showcasing in fine style that he has the quality to be Liverpool’s starting right-back next season as Alexander-Arnold’s replacement.

With Liverpool set to sign Jeremie Frimpong, though, Bradley will face strong competition for the right-back spot once again at Anfield, with the 22-year-old defender bracing for a battle for a starting XI spot alongside the Dutch international.

And Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has now given his verdict on Bradley competing with Frimpong next season.

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Speaking to the press ahead of next month’s international fixtures, the former Stoke City manager has backed Bradley to make the right-back position his own having competed with Alexander-Arnold for the past two seasons, a player many consider to be the best in the world in his role.

With Bradley signing a new contract with Liverpool, there is a strong expectation that the defender will feature heavily next season for the Reds, and O’Neill is confident that the 22-year-old fullback will compete well with Frimpong for the starting spot.

O’Neill said: “He provided that competition for Trent, but he was trying at that point in time to dislodge a player that was very, very established at the club, a much-loved player and a player that had been very successful at the club.

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“I think whatever happens now at Liverpool, that competition will be different because it will be a newer player coming into the club if they choose to do that, but Conor’s already proven that he’s ready to step up.

I think you see that the manager there more than trusts him.”

Much like Alexander-Arnold, Frimpong is a completely different kind of right-back when compared to Bradley, with the Netherlands international much more akin to an all-action winger rather than a traditional fullback.

Yet this difference could be of use for Slot in the new season, with the Liverpool manager now having two very good options in Bradley and Frimpong at right-back that can provide different uses for the Reds depending on the opponent.

Indeed, Bradley could be more favoured than Frimpong in some matches given his all-round quality, and the Northern Ireland international will want to prove to Slot and Liverpool fans that he is the ideal man for the role having acted as Alexander-Arnold’s understudy for the past two seasons.