Bolton loan, Liverpool success, Northern Ireland captaincy - the rise of Conor Bradley
Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Conor Bradley enjoyed a memorable moment in his career as he captained Northern Ireland on Saturday night
Conor Bradley has enjoyed an impressive 12 months since establishing himself as a member of Liverpool's first-team squad. Bradley is the second-choice right-back at Anfield behind Trent Alexander-Arnold and has worked hard to enjoy the rewards in the early years of his career.
The 21-year-old was named captain of Northern Ireland for their Nations League clash against Belarus on Saturday night. The match finished in a goalless draw, but before kick-off, the country's manager, Michael O'Neill explained how he contacted Liverpool to talk about Bradley.
"I think Conor has shown a lot of maturity," O'Neill told the Irish Independent. "I've spoken to a lot of people at Liverpool and got their opinion, and they felt it was something he would handle.
"One thing I've found working with Conor is that he is very, very grounded, very serious about his football, and we obviously see that in his level of performance."
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Two years ago, Bradley was enjoying the 2022/23 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers. The right-back made 53 appearances for the Trotters in all competitions that season, scoring seven goals, which saw him scoop three awards at the club, including the Players' Player of the Year, Supporters' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, the latter he shared with goalkeeper James Trafford.
After leaving Bolton 18 months ago, Bradley opened up about how he would always remember his time at the club with fondness.
"I'm thankful to all the staff for their hard work with me," Bradley told the Bolton club website in May 2023. "I feel like I have improved both as a person and player massively and hopefully that can do me well for the rest of my career. I'll be a supporter of the Club now and will keep an eye on all of the results, and hopefully they can get back to the Championship."
The following season saw Bradley was handed a spot in Liverpool's first-team squad by former manager Jurgen Klopp. However, the start of the 2023/24 campaign saw the right-back on the sidelines for more than three months with a stress fracture in his back, but did sign a new long-term contract last December.
He would eventually make his first Premier League appearance of the season against Bournemouth in January, where he got an assist in a 4-0 win. A few days later he starred for the Reds in the famous 4-1 victory over Chelsea, where he got two more assists and scored his one and only goal of the campaign.
Liverpool later faced Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, and with Alexander-Arnold injured, Bradley started the game and played 72 minutes at Wembley Stadium. Despite not being on the pitch when Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal, Bradley played a key role in ensuring the Reds could claim a historic victory.
Klopp was asked about Bradley's rise from academy prospect to a member of the first-team squad. The now-former Liverpool boss explained what he saw from Bradley, which convinced him that the right-back would be a success at Anfield.
"I've known it for a while," Klopp told reporters in January. "In my left ear is Pep Lijnders and in my right ear is Vitor Matos, telling me. I remember Pep sitting in my office telling me he'd put both of his hands in fire for him. I have loved him from the first days and didn't need a lot of convincing.
"The thing is Conor showed up extremely well in pre-season, did extremely well at Bolton. He comes back, looks top and does well in pre-season, and is out for four months with the back, it is the kind of issue that only young people have.
Klopp added: "It is a joy to watch him since he comes back and all credit to the Academy."
With Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future very much still in the balance, Bradley could find himself as the prime contender to become the Reds' regular right-back next season, but even if Liverpool's No.66 does sign a new contract, Bradley can look forward to a bright future with both the Reds and Northern Ireland.

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