Real Madrid’s defeat at Liverpool raises questions about Ancelotti’s tactics and puts Mbappé’s performance in the spotlight.
It was not an easy task, especially for a substitute. With Trent Alexander-Arnold missing, Conor Bradley had to neutralize one of the best players in the world, positioned on his preferred left side and driven by the desire to prove to Carlo Ancelotti that he deserved that spot while Vinicius did not due to injury could play.
But the Northern Irish defender “captivated” the Frenchman throughout the 87 minutes he played, showing a masterclass in defensive skills. A special moment in the first half amazed the spectators. Mbappé is almost unstoppable in open space, but not for Bradley. The 21-year-old defender made a brilliant, powerful yet measured tackle, winning the ball with astonishing confidence. It was one of many actions that frustrated the French.
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Bradley finished the game with four tackles, eight duels won and nine ball recoveries, showcasing his impressive physical and defensive abilities. He also proved to be a clever footballer who can read risky defensive situations well and knows exactly when to attack with a threat. The first goal for Liverpool, scored by Mac Allister, came from Bradley’s foot after a perfectly executed pass to the wall. However, his outstanding performance against Real Madrid is no exception for Liverpool’s young talent.
Pep Lijnders, Jürgen Klopp’s assistant, spent three years making the German aware of the right-back’s talent “at home”. He didn’t stop stressing that he should give a chance to Conor Bradley, who caused a stir at youth level. But with the right wing occupied by Trent Alexander-Arnold, a key member of Liverpool’s lineup, promotion was challenging until injuries to the England international opened the door for him.
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He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Bolton (League One) and the opportunity arose on January 21st. He made his Premier League debut against Bournemouth and assisted on his first appearance. An impressive debut that surprised Jürgen Klopp. In the following game against Chelsea he repeated the performance with two assists and a goal. Few academy graduates have had such an impact in their first two games for Liverpool.
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The Northern Irishman took advantage of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s physical problems to gain valuable minutes in the Reds jersey, which probably took away the thought from fans: “If Alexander-Arnold doesn’t extend, we’ll be in good hands after his promotion.” He finished the season having made 23 appearances, scoring one goal and assisting six goals, whilst leaving positive impressions throughout. But while Klopp was delighted with his style of play, concerns hovered over his progress.
The man who gave him his debut (and who supported him) handed the reins to Arne Slot, which naturally raised questions about whether the Dutchman would trust him. Fortunately, nothing changed for the Reds as he quickly established himself during pre-season and gave hints that he would cement his place in the first team. Despite Alexander-Arnold being the starter, Bradley has performed well whenever he has been called upon and Slot is increasingly giving him more responsibility in attack, encouraging him to move into the center when Salah hugs the touchline and getting involved in the complex combinations of the team.
This season he has already amassed 511 minutes of play in 12 games and managed to secure one assist, most notably against Real Madrid. After the duel with the Spanish giants, Slot should give him even more importance within the squad. Without a doubt, Conor Bradley will be a topic of conversation for years to come, especially given the almost certain departure of Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season. The right wing at Anfield is in very capable hands.
