Conor Bradley can take his chance with both hands to become Liverpool's first choice right-back following Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid
16:27, 07 Jun 2025
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Conor Bradley signs new Liverpool FC contract at AXA Training Centre on May 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Conor Bradley previously doubted his Liverpool future(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Conor Bradley once thought his Liverpool dream was over before it even started, but the right-back can now grab his chance with both hands after Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit.
The Northern Ireland international took his opportunity at Bolton Wanderers on loan in 2022, where he impressed in 53 appearances that helped propel the League One side into the play-offs and to the EFL Trophy. Scoring seven times and laying on six assists, Bradley caught the eye of Liverpool's coaching team, including then-manager Jurgen Klopp.
Jump forward to last season, and Bradley has made 19 league matches as part of Arne Slot's title-winning squad. But it wasn't long ago that Bradley thought his chance of ever replacing Alexander-Arnold was over.
"They told me that they wouldn't forget about me when I was out on loan," Bradley told the Liverpool ECHO in October 2024. "But at the time, you don't really believe it. You think, 'A loan, that's sort of me done here'. But you have to keep working hard.
"I played around 50 games for Bolton, and it was the best thing for me at that time. It turned me into what I am now, it changed me from a boy into a man. I'm so grateful for the opportunity Bolton gave me to go and play so many games there. It got me ready for coming back to Liverpool and giving it my best shot."
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Conor Bradley replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on August 17, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bradley has his chance to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
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Bradley made his Premier League debut for the Reds in January 2024 and produced a remarkable performance against Chelsea shortly afterwards, scoring and laying on two assists in a resounding 4-1 victory, cementing his place in the first-team squad and starting Liverpool's League Cup final win over Chelsea the following month.
Bradley previously lauded Alexander-Arnold, who he will now attempt to replace at Anfield. "Not bad, is he?" Bradley said. "Everybody knows how good Trent is. He's one of a kind as a footballer. But my aim is the same as last season - whenever I get a chance to be on the pitch, I'm going to do my best to help the team. It's about winning the games and giving my all.
"I know I've got some decent competition. If I'm training well, hopefully it can push Trent on and that can only be good for the team."
However, the 21-year-old will face a different challenge next season as he competes with new £29.5million signing Jeremie Frimpong for the position of first-choice right-back. The Dutch international was a key player in the Bayer Leverkusen team that clinched an unbeaten domestic double under Xabi Alonso in 2024, contributing to 26 goals from the wingback position.
Reflecting on his journey last year, Bradley added: "It was a long time ago that I'd made my debut so it has been a long journey. Obviously I had to go out on loan to prove myself.
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"Then I came back, I did my pre-season and then got an injury, which meant I was out for four months. When I got back fit, everything sort of fell in place for me. Trent got injured, and it gave me an opportunity and I tried to take it the best I could. At that stage I was playing twice a week and it was brilliant for me."