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Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott shine bright as Slot plots new Liverpool campaign

Conor Bradley seems a natural heir to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s crown. Pic:Julian Finney/Getty Images

Liverpool already have one eye on season 2025-26, so the performances of Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott - and whether he needs to strengthen this summer - were possibly the only things that interested manager Arne Slot as his champions lost an entertaining game at Brighton 3-2.

Their performances, in a result which meant far more to Albion as they chase down eighth place and a potential spot in the Conference League, were an interesting to addendum to match that, for the visitors at least, was more about August than May.

As Slot, who ‘prepared’ for the night by holidaying in Ibiza, said pre-match, it was always going to be a hard one for champions Liverpool to motivate themselves for with the trophy already in the bag and the party still in full swing.

But they played their part in a thrilling match in which the Dutchman’s team selection generated a conversation about who will stay for next season, who will go – and what Liverpool need to do in the market to win two titles back-to-back. Something they haven’t done since 2006 and 2007.

There are some questions that have already been answered, of course.

Mo Salah (who missed a sitter in his 300th Premier League game for the club) has signed his new contract, as has Virgil van Dijk (who was left on the bench).

The biggest heroes on the night were players we have become used to admiring. Goalkeeper Alisson, who made a string of saves, and Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored a sublime goal on the stroke of half-time in a match that his team ultimately lost to a late strike from Jack Hinshelwood.

For Liverpool as a team there was little jeopardy in comparison to their hosts but that can’t be said for a string of players with a point to prove - and this game underlined that the squad needs strengthening.

Here at the winners and losers in the ‘ones to watch’ list in defeat at the Amex:

The winners:

Conor Bradley

The likeable 21-year-old seems a natural heir to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s crown, especially as his name was sung to the rafters at Anfield last week when his departing teammate was booed.

But still the question being asked in the build-up to this game was: Can the Northern Ireland international really fill Trent’s boots or will Liverpool, who have activated Jeremie Frimpong’s 35m Euro release clause from Bayer Leverkusen, use him only as a back-up?

Yet again, he gave an impressive answer. He was the creator of Liverpool’s opening goal, latching onto a pass from Mo Salah and expertly beating his man before crossing low for Harvey Elliott to tap home.

Cue another rendition of ‘there’s only one Conor Bradley’ from the partying Liverpool fans.

That was the perfect way to celebrate signing a new four-year contract on Saturday, having already spent almost six years at Anfield – and he really should have had a second when side-footing narrowly wide.

He also provided a terrific block to prevent Simon Adingra scoring, showing he can produce the goods at both ends of the pitch.

Harvey Elliott

The former Fulham attacking midfielder has been restricted to 17 appearances in the Premier League this season, 15 of them from the bench, and has been heavily linked with a summer transfer – most strongly with Newcastle United.

But at just 22 there is a lot more to come from a player who made his point by opening the scoring from close range at the Amex.

That was his first in the Premier League all season, although he has managed three in the Champions League (including a winner at PSG) and one in the League Cup.

The signs here for him were promising. He was everywhere – energetically and skilfully linking defence, midfield and attack – picking up a goal and an assist in the process.

Losers:

Jarell Quansah

The 22-year-old defender has played 13 times for Liverpool this season but there are mixed opinions around whether he is strong enough back-up for a squad that wants to win big trophies.

This game again left Liverpool fans with doubts. Brighton’s Yasin Ayari got in behind him too easily for the home side’s first-half equaliser and, if you’re comparing him to Van Dijk (which we really shouldn’t) then some of his ‘industrial’ clearances rather made the eyes water.

Other parts of his game were tidy and composed, but he was out of position for Brighton’s second, finished by Kaoru Mitoma for 2-2.

Konstantinos Tsimikas

The Liverpool left-back put in a decent enough performance, but that’s not enough for this team - especially when they concede three.

With the Reds looking at bringing in Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in the summer, it’s clear they want a left-back who contributes more going forward.

Having been at Liverpool since 2020 it’s hard to see Tsimikas making any further ground in this squad – and Leeds are keen to make a bid to tempt him away.

Federico Chiesa

To say that Chiesa’s move to Liverpool hasn’t been a success is an understatement. He has managed only six Premier League games, five of them from the bench, and is yet to score or assist.

Injury has played a big part in those statistics but there wasn’t much to excite from the Italian when given his first Premier League start.

It’s hard to remember the forward even touching the ball before he was substituted after 63 minutes. It would a big surprise to see him still at Anfield next season – leaving Slot with another spot to fill in the window.