Conor Bradley has received high praise for possessing a quality Wayne Rooney has decided some Liverpool players just don’t have.
It’s been a difficult season for the Reds so far, seeing their Premier League title chances decline amid one win in six.
However, one of the few bright sparks to emerge this season has been Conor Bradley.
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With Trent Alexander-Arnold gone and Jeremie Frimpong injured, the young right-back has stepped up for Liverpool and has now come in for praise this week.
Conor Bradley of Liverpool applauds the fans during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Northern Ireland manager praises Conor Bradley
Northern Ireland lost to Slovakia in a World Cup qualifying match on Friday.
Prior to the fixture, as quoted by Liverpool.com, manager Michael O’Neill waxed lyrical about Bradley, highlighting his leadership qualities.
He said: “I see the boys in the hotel and he [Bradley] gets as much stick off the other lads as any. He’s very much one of the lads.
“He has leadership qualities and the most important thing is how he plays at the end of the day which is on the front foot leading by example. That’s a huge asset to have as an individual player.”
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The praise for Bradley comes on the back of Wayne Rooney bemoaning the lack of leadership at Liverpool during the 2025/26 season, specifically from experienced players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Rooney said: “Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, they’ve signed new deals but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season.
“I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else.”
Conor Bradley of Liverpool and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Arne Slot’s impending Conor Bradley decision is easy
It’s fair to say that while Liverpool as a team are well off the pace this season, the 22-year-old is thriving.
Despite having a tough afternoon up against Jeremy Doku, Pep Guardiola was impressed by Bradley last weekend.
He said: “Today Conor [Bradley] the right-back from Liverpool, I’m really, really impressed.”
Troy Deeney admitted he was wrong about the full-back after watching him excel against Vinicius Jr in the Champions League.
Elsewhere, Ian Wright thinks Bradley’s confidence at Liverpool will have skyrocketed on the back of his recent displays.
Frimpong is due to return at some point after the November break, but given how well the Northern Irishman has performed in his stead, it’s hard to see Slot justifying the Dutchman’s place in the eleven right now.
Liverpool need leaders and despite his lack of experience, Bradley is already proving he could quickly step up for the Premier League champions.