Conor Bradley profiled as Liverpool ace set to replace injured Alexander-Arnold

09 January 2024 , 15:37

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Conor Bradley is likely to start for Liverpool against Fulham (Image: Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp is likely to hand Conor Bradley his fifth Liverpool start and second of the season in their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Fulham on Wednesday.

Bradley came on for the final 15 minutes at Arsenal on Sunday and impressed as the Reds progressed through to the FA Cup fourth round. The 20-year-old, who shone on loan at Bolton last season, has made four first-team appearances - including one start against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League - this term.

Now, the Northern Irishman is expected to be handed another chance from the off after Pep Lijnders confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is out for a 'few weeks'. With Joe Gomez still needed at left-back in Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson's absence, Bradley is set to slot in at right-back.

But who is he? Born in Aghyaran, Northern Ireland, Bradley began youth career with hometown club St. Patrick's FC and went on to play for Dungannon United Youth and Dungannon Swifts. This was before he joined Liverpool in 2019, with Bradley teaming up with the club's Under 18s.

Bradley then progressed through to the Under 23s side and made 14 Premier League 2 appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, before moving up to the first-team squad for pre-season. Having impressed, Bradley made his senior Liverpool debut, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich in September 2021.

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He would go on to make his Champions League debut against AC Milan in December of that year, coming on as a late substitute at the San Siro. In total, Bradley featured five times for Klopp's men in 2021/22, playing in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup - both competitions in which the Reds went on to win.

Conor Bradley in action for Liverpool against Arsenal on Sunday (Getty Images)

In an attempt to gain more first-team experience, Bradley was sent out on loan to League One promotion contenders Bolton for the 2022/23 campaign. It's safe to say Bradley stood out at Wanderers, scoring seven times and providing six assists in 52 matches as Bolton won the EFL Trophy and reached the play-offs. Bradley picked up the club's Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year for his efforts.

Bradley's game time this season has been limited after suffering a back injury, but he returned to make his first appearance in the 4-0 home win over LASK in the Europa League. He then started and played the full 90 minutes against Union SG, before cameos in recent cup games against West Ham and Arsenal.

Unlike Alexander-Arnold, who inverts into the half-space and midfield areas, Bradley likes to get up and down the line and hold width. This isn't to say Bradley won't come into central positions because he has the passing range to do so, but he often prefers to receive the ball out wide and drive at the opposing full-back.

Speaking ahead of the game against Fulham, Lijnders praised Bradley. He said: "We have young players to fight for prizes and these young players are running and fighting and dreaming. Bradley against a fresh Martinelli... One v one. These boys they learn at these moments.

"Bradley and Bobby [Clark] are not back-up, they are a part of our squad, they are made for games like this. Look what happened to Jarell [Quansah], Newcastle with 10 men.. .he feels our trust after that. Young players need opportunities, not criticism. They feel our trust after that."

Kieran King