Loan from Bolton, success at Liverpool, captain of Northern Ireland: the rise of Conor Bradley

Bradley first joined Liverpool from Dungannon United in 2019. He eventually made his first-team debut for the Reds against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup in 2021, before being loaned out to gain regular minutes at senior level.

Two years ago, Bradley enjoyed the 2022/23 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers. The right-back made 53 appearances for the Trotters in all competitions that season and scored seven goals, winning three awards for the club including Players’ Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. Annual awards, the last one he shared with goalkeeper James Trafford.

After leaving Bolton 18 months ago, Bradley said he would always remember his time at the club fondly.

“I am grateful to all the staff for their hard work with me,” Bradley told Bolton’s club website in May 2023. “I feel I have improved enormously both as a person and as a player and hopefully that can be good for the club.” I will now be a supporter of the club for the rest of my career and will keep an eye on all the results and hopefully they can return to the Championship.”

The following season, Bradley was given a place in Liverpool’s first-team squad by former manager Jurgen Klopp. However, at the start of the 2023/24 season, the right back was on the sidelines for more than three months with a stress fracture in his back, but signed a new long-term contract last December.

He would eventually make his first Premier League appearance of the season against Bournemouth in January, getting an assist in a 4–0 win. A few days later he played for the Reds in the famous 4–1 win over Chelsea, where he got two more assists and scored his only goal of the campaign.

Liverpool later faced Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, and with Alexander-Arnold injured, Bradley started the match and played 72 minutes at Wembley Stadium. Despite not being on the pitch when Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal, Bradley played a key role in ensuring the Reds could claim a historic victory.

Klopp was asked about Bradley’s rise from academy talent to first-team squad. The now former Liverpool boss explained what he saw from Bradley which convinced him the right-back would be a success at Anfield.

“I’ve known it for a while,” Klopp told reporters in January. “In my left ear is Pep Lijnders and in my right ear is Vitor Matos, who tells me. I remember Pep sitting in my office and telling me that he would put both his hands in the fire for him. I have from the first loved him for days and didn’t need much convincing.

“The thing is, Conor showed up extremely well in pre-season and did extremely well at Bolton. He comes back, looks great and does well in pre-season, and is out for four months with the back, that’s the kind of problem .” that only have young people.

Klopp added: “It has been a pleasure to watch him since he came back and all credit to the Academy.”

With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool still hanging in the balance, Bradley could see himself as the leading contender to become the Reds’ regular right-back next season, but even if Liverpool’s number 66 signs a new contract , Bradley can look ahead to a bright future with both the Reds and Northern Ireland.