01 February 2024 , 06:36
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Conor Bradley was left in dreamland after his first Liverpool goal as the Reds kept up the pace in the Premier League title race last night.
The Merseysiders were in four-middable form as they thrashed Chelsea at Anfield to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table. But it was a performance inspired by the brilliance of Northern Ireland’s 20-year-old right-back Bradley after he scored one and created two.
The defender said: “It's a very proud moment, something I dreamed of for a long time. I feel like I'm in a dream. It's unbelievable. I just couldn't believe my goal went in.
"I didn't know what to do. I went over to the corner and did a knee slide. It was brilliant, so it was.”
Jurgen Klopp secured his 200th win in the Premier League as the Reds were rampant to stay in front of Manchester City and Arsenal. Bradley - who has deputised for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in recent weeks - said the manager’s impending departure this summer has given the Reds more fire to win the title.
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He added: "It was unfortunate the way Trent got injured. I just had to try to take my chance. I feel I've done pretty well. [Klopp leaving was a] big shock to us all. It's giving us extra motivation."
Conor Bradley finished brilliantly to notch Liverpool's secondKop boss Klopp hailed the young defender. He added: “He's a very serious young man and that was pretty special. What a wonderful kid he is. Outstanding finish, the whole game, the contribution, the involvement.”
Chelsea suffered their ninth league defeat of what is turning out to be a disastrous debut campaign for Mauricio Pochettino as a clash with Liverpool in the league failed to end in a draw for the first time since 2021.
The Blues boss said: “I think they were better than us. It was so clear. They won all the duels. When we say they compete better, in all the areas they were better than us.”