It has undoubtedly been a season to forget for the most part for all those involved at Liverpool Football Club. Albeit a campaign littered with memorable moments – none more so than a 7-0 demolition of arch-rivals Manchester United.
However, standout moments and the integration of Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Stefan Bajcetic aside, 2022/23 won’t live long in the memories of the Kop faithful.
With a major summer rebuild therefore on the horizon, reports from The Athletic suggest that Jurgen Klopp is ready to integrate Northern Irish youngster, Connor Bradley, into his Liverpool side after an impressive loan stint with League One playoff hopefuls Bolton Wanderers.
The Lancashire outfit has provided Bradley with a sufficient platform for him to showcase his talent, with the teenager registering five goals and four assists in the third tier. He has also, played on the big stage at Wembley and helped guide Bolton to their first trophy since 1958, after a 4-0 win against Plymouth in the Papa Johns Trophy cup final.
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Klopp has today confirmed during his pre-West Ham press conference that he is in constant contact with the youngster, stating he could be involved with the squad at the next pre-season tour, where we will get a better understanding of how The German plans to restructure his side. Bradley has also cemented a place in the Northern Irish national side this season, recently returning from European Qualifying action against San Marino, and Finland respectively.
Leicester City defender and Northern Ireland teammate Johnny Evans recently heaped praise on the youngster’s shoulders after a string of eye-catching performances by stating: “I thought Conor Bradley was superb the other night [against Kosovo], and Shea Charles came in during the summer and that is what we want to see – young lads making an impression and hopefully bring the country forward.”
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Johnny Evans isn’t the only man to shower Bradley with admiration, Bolton boss Ian Evatt also had this to say about the Liverpool loanee in an interview with The Bolton News: “He’s a brilliant kid, wants to learn and is a sponge. He wants to take in knowledge all of the time.
“His attitude and work ethic is relentless really and he will give himself the best opportunity to have the best career possible.”
Redmen Reacts
The Reds are expecting a massive overhaul in personnel this summer, so don’t be surprised if Bradley starts to feature frequently for the first team next season. Klopp has also been deploying current right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, so Bradley’s return could help promote the academy project’s claim for a position further up the pitch, one which many fans have been crying out for.
Whilst the arrival of Calvin Ramsay was supposed to offer suitable cover and competition for Alexander-Arnold, injuries have curtailed his development on Merseyside and could provide an opportunity for an in-form Bradley to seize his moment.
Given his obvious attacking prowess – a trait befitting of a full-back in the modern era – the 19-year-old could well have a significant role to play in Klopp’s plans next term, particularly if the Reds can build a squad capable of challenging on all four fronts once more.
