Conor Bradley: “I’m not obviously the complete package yet”

Finding yourself in the mainstream Liverpool team consistently as an academy graduate can be too good to be true for many, and Conor Bradley is no different. The 21-year-old full-back says he still has goosebumps all over his body when wearing the Red shirt but is ready to improve his impressive performances.

The Liverpool youngster had a breakthrough season under former Manager Jurgen Klopp where he repaid his then-manager’s faith in him by filling the big boots left by an injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. Bradley earned promotion into Liverpool’s first team after a fine season on loan to League One side Bolton Wanderers in the 2022-2023 season.

Initially as backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold and mainly for the domestic Cup games, Conor Bradley found himself playing 28 times for Liverpool scoring his first senior goal in a 4-1 win over Chelsea. The Northern Irish man also starred in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley against the same opposition drawing praise and commendation from Reds supporters globally.

Some say the injury to the vice captain who himself is another academy graduate was ablessing in diguise for the team, giving way to Bradley to alley fears that the club will be sweating if Trent Alexander-Arnold had a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Though not yet at the level of Trent, Conor Bradley offers something different to the Liverpool backline. The no.66 is one of the most creative players in the team with the ball at his feet and any side would miss his absence. However, Bradley made sure supporters saw the positive side of things, with even some urging the club to start him in the role even when Trent returned.

The no.84 has continued from where he left off last season with solid performances in preseason under new boss Arne Slot. He featured in all three games in the US as well as starting in the second game of the double-header at Anfield on Sunday.

Conor Bradley spoke to Mail Sport reporter Lewis Steele about his breakthrough year and how the feeling currently is and his readiness to further show what he is capable of.

Reflecting on last season’s ride, he said,‘It feels real now. In the moment, it did not, a bit surreal. But it feels real now and I just want to keep pushing on from that.

‘It was a good year last year but I want to try and make this year even better. I feel really good, really fit and raring to go for the season now. It’s been a good pre-season, we’ve won basically every game we’ve played.’

The reporter asked if he ever feels out of place or a case of imposter syndrome after a fantastic breakthrough, Bradley replied: ‘No, I feel ready. Probably at times last year I felt that – but this year I’ve come in and I know the boys so well. I’m ready to go and can’t wait for the season.’

Asked if he ever feels out of place or a case of imposter syndrome after a fantastic breakthrough, Bradley replied: ‘No, I feel ready. Probably at times last year I felt that – but this year I’ve come in and I know the boys so well. I’m ready to go and can’t wait for the season.’

Steele quized him on his healthy competition with Trent Alexander Arnold, Bradley responded: ‘I’m still young so there’s still plenty of improvement to be made, but I’m going to keep working hard and whenever I do get the chance I’m going to try and take it.’ Pushed on what he needs to improve, the full back added: ‘I think a bit of everything, to be honest.

‘I’m not obviously the complete package yet. I’m still a young player so I’ve still got to improve my output in the final third and my defending in the final third as well so I think everywhere. But I just want to keep working hard and getting better.’

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