Conor Bradley has had quite the week. Having captained Northern Ireland proudly for the first time a few days earlier, the Liverpool youngster wore the armband on home soil as his country thumped Bulgaria 5-0 in their UEFA Nations League match on Sunday.
It continued a 2024 of progress for the right-back, who finally became a first-team squad regular with the Reds during the early months of the year, won his first major silverware for the club and has already become an integral option for new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
But when Bradley was urged to take a loan move at League One side Bolton Wanderers at the start of the 2022/23 season, the defender couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation.
“They told me that they wouldn’t forget about me when I was out on loan,” says the 21-year-old. “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 at Liverpool and giving it my best shot.”
After the setback of an injury last summer, Bradley – who moved to the Liverpool Academy more than five years ago – returned just before Christmas in time to deputise for the absent Trent Alexander-Arnold and prove he merited a career at Anfield. He ended the season with 23 outings and has already made six this campaign.
While aware of the task of dislodging the first-choice right-back – “Not bad, is he?” smiles Bradley – the relentless schedule as Liverpool challenge on four fronts means there will be plenty of opportunities for minutes over the coming weeks and months. And with Alexander-Arnold in the last 12 months of his contract and still having not signed a new deal, there could be a permanent opening next campaign.
“Everybody knows how good Trent is,” says Bradley. “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.”
The most immediate challenge is in-form Chelsea when leaders Liverpool resume their Premier League challenge at Anfield on Sunday. It was in the same fixture in January that Bradley scored his first Reds goal and contributed two assists in a 4-1 thumping, while the Londoners were the opposition in the League Cup final win at Wembley he started the following month.
“I’ve got some special memories against Chelsea,” says the Northern Irishman. “The first one was at Anfield in my home debut in the Premier League, that was a special night and something I’ll remember forever.
“Then there was the League Cup final, which felt like a win against the odds when we were playing the game. We just had so many injuries. I started at right-back and 20 minutes in I had to move to the right wing because Ryan (Gravenberch) got injured.
“It was a crazy experience and a day I’ll never forget. Winning a trophy for my dream football club is pretty special. It was a wonderful day.
“But it’s definitely more controlled now. The new manager doesn’t want me running up and down the wing forever. He wants me to stay in position and do what he wants, he wants you in a certain position at every stage during the game. It’s quite tactical but I’m enjoying it and I’ve learned a lot in the last few months.”
And Bradley is setting his sights high this campaign. “The aim is to win the Premier League,” he says. “Every year you play for Liverpool Football Club, the aim has to be to win trophies. We know it’s going to be difficult with City and Arsenal, massive clubs who have bought well.
“Personally I’m hoping for chances to play in the Champions League. I played in the San Siro back in December 2021 and it was a special night for me, a famous stadium. I am looking forward to more minutes in that competition.”
