Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes Conor Bradley has a big future at the club after his international captaincy stint. Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill appointed Bradley as captain during the October international break as part of testing the leadership.
Northern Ireland won their last UEFA Nations League game 5-0 against Bulgaria as the 21-year-old delivered a hardworking captain’s performance. Slot has used right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold during the early stages of the season without applying a rotation policy at Liverpool.
Liverpool have won nine out of the 10 games in all competitions that they have played so far this season. Bradley has started only one of those games in the Carabao Cup 5-1 victory over West Ham United in September.
The 21-year-old has played six games in all competitions, mostly coming on late as a substitute for Alexander-Arnold so far. Nevertheless, Bradley has a key role to play after the October international break as the fixture congestion takes its toll.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference (via Liverpoolfc.com), Slot highlighted the importance of Bradley for Liverpool as a long-term project. He said:
“I think it’s going to be a bright future for him because he’s a very good player and very good players [are] what we need here at Liverpool. He’s done – last season especially – really well when he had to replace Trent, and now Trent has played a lot. But he is a very good player and although he has big competition from Trent, normally very good players find their way into the team. That’s what I also expect with him in the future at this club.”
Liverpool faces a particularly hectic schedule due to the quality of the teams they face in the Champions League. The Reds have yet to face any top-of-the-table clubs, with those teams scheduled alongside their Champions League fixtures.
Bradley and other players who have struggled to receive significant game time are pivotal during this phase of the season. Slot will use the rotation policy to maintain the fitness and consistency in the performance of the team during this period.
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The 21-year-old could also play as the right-back when Trent plays as a central midfielder for the Reds. Furthermore, Bradley can play different roles himself, according to the requirements of the head coach.
