Conor Bradley was the face of Liverpool’s inspiring performance as they defeated Real Madrid in the UEFA champions league and his tackle on Kylian Mbappe is going viral on social media platforms.
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Young full-back Conor Bradley was the cornerstone of Liverpool’s spirited performance as they defeated Spanish giants Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League league stage on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Bradley has now become an internet sensation for his sliding tackle on star forward Kylian Mabppe which was not only appreciated by the Liverpool faithful but became the talk of the town on social media platforms.
Bradley’s inspired performance helped Liverpool neutralize Mbappe, but the Liverpool academy product, who was picked over Joe Gomez, also left his mark in the attack as he produced the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal.
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The atmosphere at Anfield was already quality tonight. But once this tackle happened it felt like it was taken to the next level 🔥
Conor Bradley had Mbappe in his pocket and it was a joy to see 🤣 pic.twitter.com/tLMNbi9KeF
— FootyTone (@FootyTone) November 28, 2024
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has now seen his team win five out of five matches in the Champions League this season, was full of praise for Bradley.
“I think it’s nice for him, nice for his family, nice for us but it’s also very nice for the Academy, that a player that comes through the ranks at the Academy does so well,” Slot said. “And not only him – Caoimh was outstanding today, Curtis [Jones] was outstanding today. Probably all of them were outstanding but to have three Academy players in your team doing so well is also a big compliment for the Academy this club has.”
“And Conor did very well. But I’m totally not surprised by him doing so well because he showed this already last season and showed this in this season in training sessions and in games as well. So, very nice for him.”
Liverpool breaks Real Madrid curse
On the team’s performance and Liverpool’s first win over Real Madrid since 2009, Slot said: “I liked a lot what I saw. Of course not everything. I think we controlled the first half with creating a few chances, but I also thought we were still a bit sloppy, so we lost the ball in very easy situations or we forced it a bit too much. I said, ‘Try to be even more patient, let the gaps open up instead of forcing them.’ Then it helps if, the first seven minutes after half-time I think we had total dominance, they even didn’t come across the halfway line. If you score a goal like this, then we were flying, if you want to put it like this.”
Liverpool had some injury concerns after the win as Bradley was forced off the pitch seemingly due to hamstring issues and Ibrahima Konate was seen leaving the pitch limping after the match was over.
Slot did not reveal much about the injury concerns but said: “This happens through a season. I am really hoping both of them are available to play because we want them all available, but if not someone else has to step up and until now this season everybody that I [have] selected to start has shown up.
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“That’s also what is going to happen on Sunday, if they can play but also if they can’t play then other ones will step up.”
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