It’s a sight Liverpool supporters have got used to seeing.
A break from the back, a burst of pace, and a perfectly-placed pass. One of the Premier League’s breakout talents has already established himself as a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans in double-quick time and, at the age of only 20, that ever-improving confidence and maturity stood out a mile as Conor Bradley played a major role in the goal which gave Northern Ireland an early lead away at Romania on Friday night.
Bradley already has six assists since making his Liverpool breakthrough at the start of 2024. And while it was technically Southampton’s Shea Charles who set up a debut goal for the late-blooming Jamie Reid in Bucharest, it would not have been possible without a trademark lung-bursting burst from the Liverpool right-back.
Liverpool starlet Conor Bradley shines again
Bradley has thrived as an orthodox right-back at club-level. As a youthful Northern Ireland side held their hosts to a draw in the Romania capital, however, the former Bolton Wanderers loanee showed that he has the ‘quality’, the ‘athleticism’ and the tactical versatility to shine as a wing-back in a back-five too.
“It’s brilliant,” smiles Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, speaking to BBC Sport. “That right-hand side of the pitch, Trai (Hume), Conor, Shea Charles, Isaac Price… They could have all played for our under-21s last night!
“They have real quality, real athleticism. and they showed brilliant temperament. Conor, every time he steps on the pitch, he demonstrates what his potential is as a player. And again he demonstrated that as well (vs Romania).”
‘Standout’ performer in 9/10 display
To quote Belfast Live – handing Bradley a 9/10 rating for his efforts – the Liverpool academy graduate was the ‘stand-out’ performer on the Arena Nationala pitch.
“His burst of pace lead to Reid’s goal and (he was a) real threat going forward,” adds the Belfast Telegraph. “Magical and mature player with the right attitude and ability.”
With Trent Alexander-Arnold transitioning towards a more inverted, central-leaning role over the last 12 months, is there a way in which Klopp – and his eventual Liverpool successor – can get both Bradley and the club’s talismanic number 66 on the pitch at the very same time?
Bradley, showcasing his qualities not only as a right-back but also a rampaging, box-to-box wing-back too, appears to be adding new weapons to his arsenal every time he steps foot on the turf these days.