Heading into last night's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg clash with Fulham, quite a few Liverpool fans were concerned about the club's options at right back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a few weeks on the sideline due to a knee issue picked up in the win over Arsenal last weekend, and with Joe Gomez currently deputising at left back due to an injury crisis in that position, it left them without an established first team player in that role.
Hopes were high that Conor Bradley could fill in to a decent level, with the 20-year old Tyrone native having impressed during a cameo in that victory at the Emirates.
It's fair to say that he surpassed expectations.
Bradley was absolutely superb in the 2-1 Liverpool victory, putting in a huge shift at both ends of the pitch. Not only did he deal well with the threat of Willian down that flank (the goal the Brazilian scored was certainly not his fault), but he also impressed with his play in forward areas.
That ball by Conor Bradley. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Z2tx6ndP4G
— The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) January 10, 2024
The youngster is likely to be given further opportunities in the weeks ahead, with Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and Kostas Tsimikas unlikely to return before February.
He certainly got plenty of plaudits from both his teammates and the supporters in the aftermath of the match.
Cody Gakpo pointing at Conor Bradley after the game against Fulham last night in the EFL Cup.
You can’t not love Gakpo, what a fella. 🇳🇱🔴 #LFC
pic.twitter.com/CZWu18ZyCa— Charlie⚜️ (@CharlieeLFC) January 11, 2024
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Jurgen Klopp praises Tyrone man for performance in Liverpool win
Jurgen Klopp is not afraid to give youngsters an opportunity to play in the Liverpool first team, with the German massively impressed with what he saw from Conor Bradley last night.
Speaking after the game, he was full of praise for the performance he produced in what was a big game for the club.
"I was waiting for the game we could give him the opportunity... He gave his absolute everything, it's so nice to see!"
Jurgen on Conor Bradley's performance vs. Fulham 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/wOIkvJ3QHT— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) January 11, 2024
I'm completely happy.
I told him before the game already, I was waiting for that moment that we could give him that opportunity. I was really waiting for it, because when he got injured in pre-season my opinion was already (high). He was out for a pretty long time.
He's a top boy. Today was pretty intense for him. Someone has to drive him home hopefully, because he's sitting in the dressing room and doesn't look great.
He gave his absolute everything. That's really nice to see, really nice to see. The next one is sitting outside on the bench already, that is really cool. He could show how good he is and of course so much more to come.
In the first goal, things like this happen. If you're a defender you will always be involved in a goal somehow, it's all about how quick can you get into the game again.
I didn't see any kind of reaction, I liked it a lot.
Conor Bradley is a native of Aghyaran, playing for local club St Patrick's before then moving on to Dungannon Swifts, eventually signing for Liverpool in 2019. He would spend last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers, where he was named as the club's player of the season.
Speaking after last night's, he admitted he was doing his best to fill in for the absent Alexander-Arnold.
Conor Bradley: “Trent obviously the best right-back in the world at the moment, probably the best player in the world at the moment with the way he’s playing. He’s a big miss but I try to fill in for him and fight for the win.” pic.twitter.com/EvnF4FQjQE
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) January 11, 2024
Bradley has been capped 13 times by Northern Ireland, making his debut in 2021 as a 17-year old.
It will be interesting to see how much of a role he plays at Liverpool over the remainder of the season.
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