It started before the tackle on Kylian Mbappe but that was the moment that ignited the Anfield crowd just when it had begun to go a little quiet. Conor Bradley charged in, spotted his opportunity, and won the ball, sending the French World Cup winner flying.
He hadn’t given Mbappe a sniff before that and he certainly didn’t after either. Liverpool had several top performers: Caoimhin Kelleher made a top save from the penalty, Curtis Jones was excellent and Ryan Gravenberch ran things in the center. Bradley, though, was the pick of the bunch.
The Northern Ireland full-back might have scored on another day with the header that Thibaut Courtois saved well, and his performance could only have been improved by finding the back of the net. Bradley gave everything until he was taken off and replaced by Joe Gomez on 87 minutes.
Bradley drove forward with purpose, was fouled more than any other player on the field, and got an assist. The stats say he won two-thirds of his duels, but it certainly felt like more than that — and he didn’t give away a single foul.
The 21-year-old was in pain at full-time with an injury but the hope is that he will be back in time for the weekend. "Too soon," was the Arne Slot verdict on how bad the knock was, indicating that nothing can be guaranteed immediately after the game. What we can say, though, was that he was fit enough and comfortable enough to go up to The Kop with his head coach to applaud the fans singing his name.
Clearly, Liverpool should be ensuring that it gets a new deal over the line for Trent Alexander-Arnold. In Bradley, though, if they do stave off Real Madrid's interest, the Reds have an able replacement.
Conor Bradley tackles Kylian Mbappe during Liverpool vs Real Madrid.
Conor Bradley tackles Kylian Mbappe during Liverpool vs Real Madrid. (Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Indeed, when Bradley plays as well as this and silences a player as good as Mbappe, scouts from other top clubs will take notice. A bit like with Kelleher, there might — if Alexander-Arnold stays — come a point when Bradley thinks about pushing for more minutes.
This season, he has only started four games, with two in the Carabao Cup. Against Southampton and Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold would arguably have started had he been available. Even if it would be harsh to take Bradley out against Manchester City given how well he played here, if the Reds’ vice captain is fully fit, he plays.
Bradley, as he showed against Real Madrid, the current European champion, could be a solution if no new contract is agreed with Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool will hope it doesn’t come to that in 2025, but the Irish full-back is so good that a dilemma could happen at some point down the line regardless.