Why Conor Bradley is Liverpool’s long-term solution at right back

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rush The Kop or go back to LFC Live.

“One Conor Bradley, there’s only one Conor Bradley” – was the passionate chant being belted from the Kop as Liverpool took down their old foes Real Madrid once again on Tuesday.Following a miserable homecoming for Liverpool’s prodigal son, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley was all smiles after a coming-of-age display against Europe’s perennial champions.Bradley will hope to continue this rich vein of form, having already taken a big step forward to becoming the right back Liverpool fans hoped he would be.Bradley's inclusion ends game of musical chairs at right backDue to a combination of form and injuries, Slot has started as many as four different players at right back this campaign.A joint spell on the sidelines for both Bradley and new signing Jeremie Frimpong, meant that Dominik Szoboszlai was required to fill the position for a number of weeks.While the Hungarian thrived at times, he has proven to be far more effective in his natural position, and Bradley’s recent performances will reassure the Kop that such drastic changes will not have to be made again.Liverpool FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 | Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImagesAs Liverpool look to recover from their tumultuous run of form, stability is key, and the Northern Irishman starting regularly will aid talisman Mohamed Salah, who stars in a different dynamic on the right flank.The absence of Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has not only dented Liverpool’s creativity, but it has also affected the output of their record Premier League goalscorer in Salah.Bradley’s profile as a modern full back allows the Egyptian more freedom on the pitch to impact the game, with the right back able to offer both overlapping and underlapping runs in support.Right back’s tenacity key as Reds tighten upVinicius Junior was dumbfounded on Tuesday night, and it would be a surprise if Bradley wasn’t a regular feature in his nightmares over the past few evenings.On the cusp of winning the Ballon d’Or this time last year, to being shackled by the Northern Irishman in the present day – serves as a testament to Bradley’s display.His grit and tenacity on the pitch have been sorely missed from Liverpool over the past few weeks, who have been far too easy to get at for a number of reasons.Liverpool FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 | Marc Atkins/GettyImagesBut it was Bradley who stood firm for the English champions in what was a must-win game, and Liverpool were rewarded with a second consecutive clean sheet.Kylian Mbappe will be able to empathise with his teammate, having struggled against the right back last season, and it all points to Conor Bradley simply being made for the big occasion.A contest at the Etihad Stadium presents itself as another one, and it will be Belgian trickster Jeremy Doku who will want Bradley as a scalp in this grudge match between title challengers.First team favourite, fitness, and FrimpongWith Frimpong not expected back until after the international break, the role of senior right back is Bradley’s to lose.For the first time in months, the Northern Irishman has both form and fitness on his side, and he must capitalise on this to become a mainstay in Liverpool’s backline.Slot has experimented with his fullbacks this season, especially in a positional manner, but the traditional right-back role seems to be the most fruitful, and Bradley is the clear candidate.FBL-EUR-C1-FRANKFURT-LIVERPOOL | KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/GettyImagesWhile Frimpong hasn’t had the luxury of playing in a settled starting XI, Bradley’s skillset makes him more suited to Slot’s current system, but he must stay fit.Riddled with injuries himself, both Liverpool fans and Conor Bradley will keep both hands crossed so that he can persevere through to the end of the year injury-free.On the surface, he is another academy graduate playing for Liverpool FC – but like his predecessor, Bradley has the potential to craft his own legacy if he takes this opportunity.