It was the moment that lit the fuse at Anfield.
Kylian Mbappe had raced away from Alexis Mac Allister down the left as Real Madrid counter-attacked at pace shortly after the half-hour.
The danger was clear but a fearless young Northern Irishman with no regard for big reputations took control. Conor Bradley charged across and put in a crunching tackle just outside the penalty area.
It was a perfect illustration of timing and controlled aggression. As Mbappe was unceremoniously dumped on the turf and Bradley emerged triumphant with the ball at his feet, Anfield roared its approval.
Not even the goals that followed in Liverpool’s 2-0 win from Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo triggered such a vociferous response.
This was the biggest test of Bradley’s career and he passed it with flying colours as Liverpool finally defeated Real Madrid for the first time since 2009 to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Champions League.
Not only did Bradley impress defensively as he ensured it was a wretched night for Mbappe, but the 21-year-old right-back made a sizeable impact offensively. He saw a header expertly kept out by Thibaut Courtois before providing the assist for Mac Allister.
The Kop chanted Bradley’s name repeatedly before giving him a standing ovation when he was substituted late on after feeling tightness in his hamstring.
“It’s nice for Conor, his family, for us, but it’s also very nice for the academy that a player who came through the ranks did so well,” Arne Slot said.
“I’m totally not surprised by him doing so well because he showed this last season and this season in training sessions and in games as well.”
Slot with Bradley after the right back was substituted (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Bradley completed 41 of his 49 passes (84 per cent) and won eight of his 12 duels (67 per cent). He also won possession on nine occasions – more than anyone else on either side.
“I thought Conor was excellent,” fellow full-back Andy Robertson told LFCTV. “He’s had to be patient this season but it was a big game and he stepped up.
“Different class. I’m not sure what happened when he went off but hopefully he’s OK because he’s a really important player for the squad. The loudest cheer was when Conor made the big tackle in the first half.”
With Trent Alexander-Arnold having recovered from injury, it’s unlikely that Bradley will start against Manchester City on Sunday even if he is passed fit, but this was a timely reminder of his ability.
Having clocked up 23 appearances in all competitions in 2023-24 and earned many plaudits, Bradley’s game time has been more limited this time around. Alexander-Arnold had started every Premier League and Champions League game before damaging his hamstring against Aston Villa this month.
But Liverpool are blessed to have such a high-calibre stand-in. If Alexander-Arnold decides to join Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season, it would be a bitter pill to swallow.
The club’s home-grown vice-captain is a generational talent, a £100 million asset and no-one else in Europe possesses his all-round skillset in that role. Liverpool still retain hope he will pen an extension.
But if an agreement cannot be reached then the blow will be softened with Bradley is waiting in the wings.
With Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher integral to the outcome against the European champions too is was a night to remember for Liverpool’s academy.
Jones, who was involved in the opening goal and completed 55 of his 59 passes (93 per cent), was the pick of the England midfielders on display as he put Jude Bellingham in the shade with his swagger in possession. Slot’s decision to play Jones ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai was rewarded.
As for Kelleher, the manner in which he has deputised for Alisson in recent months has been remarkable. The Republic of Ireland international has now saved three of the four penalties he has faced for Liverpool in all competitions (excluding shootouts) after diving full length to his left to keep out Mbappe’s spot-kick.
Kelleher has also won more penalty shootouts (four) than any goalkeeper in the club’s history.
Kelleher brilliantly saves Mbappe’s penalty (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“I thought Caoimhin was getting a bit bored so I thought I might as well give my mate something to do,” joked Robertson, who brought down Lucas Vazquez in the box when the hosts were 1-0 up.
“Thankfully, that mistake didn’t get punished and we managed to dust it off and go again. Caoimhin has been sensational. A phenomenal keeper. We’re very blessed to have two absolute world class keepers. ‘World class’ gets thrown about quite often but I don’t think it’s wrong to say Caoimhin is up there.
“Every time he comes in, the biggest compliment you can pay him is that you can’t tell that Alisson is missing. And I believe Alisson is the best in the world. He’s done unbelievable for us while Alisson has been out.”
The Brazil No 1 is close to a return and Slot will not put Alisson on the bench but it does not feel right that Kelleher should lose his place.
“Every decision I have to make is a difficult one because we have so many quality players,” Slot said. “I’ve been clear about that situation but tonight shouldn’t be about that. It should be about Caoimhin being so important for us. It (the penalty save) was a special moment for him. So let that be the headlines.”
Having suffered so much at the hands of Real Madrid during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, this was a sweet and commanding triumph.
Liverpool’s dominance was such that entering stoppage time, the only shot on target that the visitors had mustered was from Mbappe’s saved penalty.
Slot’s side have swept aside AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, German champions Bayer Leverkusen and Spanish champions Real Madrid while conceding one goal.
They are looking down on the rest domestically and in Europe with 17 wins out of 19 in all competitions. Claiming such a scalp represents the perfect preparation for welcoming a wounded Manchester City to Anfield.
Momentum and belief continue to grow. A night to cherish was ignited by one thumping, memorable challenge.
(Top photo: Bradley dumps Mbappe to the floor and winning the ball and all. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
