When the draw for the new-look Champions League first stage was made back in August, attention was immediately drawn to a genuine glamour clash. And then one player in particular.
[Liverpool](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) entertaining Real Madrid – a re-run of three previous European Cup finals – meant there was every chance discussion around the game would be dominated by Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose future remains shrouded in mystery with no resolution over contract talks and the Spaniards sniffing around a free transfer at the end of the season.
But the hamstring injury suffered more than a fortnight ago Aston Villa meant Alexander-Arnold was consigned to warming the bench here.
And instead it was his replacement who became the talk of Anfield as Conor Bradley, tasked with marking Kylian Mbappe, provided further evidence he can realise Arne Slot’s claim of becoming a long-term fixture in the Liverpool team.
Much will be made of the bone-crunching challenge on a breaking Mbappe in the first half that prompted a huge roar from the home crowd and lit the blue touchpaper on the latest in a long line of famous European nights at the stadium.
Indeed, it evoked memories of James Milner leaving Neymar on his backside when Paris Saint-Germain, for whom Mbappe scored, were beaten at Anfield six years ago.
But it wasn’t an isolated incident, Bradley bullying his more illustrious opponent to such an extent Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti eventually moved Mbappe into a central area in the second half given the France international's lack of effectiveness on the left.
Bradley, though, was only just getting started. And after the interval he felt comfortable leaving Mbappe for Ibrahima Konate to deal with and set about helping Liverpool gain the opener their increasing superiority deserved, regularly popping up in the central striking role.
It was from there the defender – who scored for Northern Ireland during the international break – popped up unmarked to force a brilliant save from Thibaut Courtois from Alexis Mac Allister’s cross, moments before his return pass found the Argentina international for the all-important opener.
The negative, of course, was [the sight of Bradley pulling up holding his hamstring](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/conor-bradley-ibrahima-konate-injury-30467579) after one typically barnstorming run during the closing stages. Liverpool will hope any absence is short although Alexander-Arnold is back available.
The chants of “One Conor Bradley” that boomed around Anfield on several occasions underlined the point. Certainly, Mbappe and Real Madrid will know there’s more than one impressive right-back in this Liverpool squad.