After a world-leading number of minutes played by a teenager this season, Bolton’s Conor Bradley will be fighting for his place in the matchday squad when returning to Liverpool for the forthcoming season.
Bradley has played more minutes than any other teenager in world football this season, in what has been a breakout year for the youngster. The Northern Ireland international has played 4723 minutes this season appearing 57 times for club and country. A spectacular feat given his age and inexperience prior to this season. He has already began to cement his position on the right side of defence for the national team after a string of good performances and this only seems to be a start for Bradley.
This was the right back’s first professional season, and he has already shown his versatility and incredible fitness levels. A return to Anfield for pre-season will let the 19-year-old display what he’s learnt on loan at the League One club. He’ll be looking to impress Jurgen Klopp as he battles for a place in the matchday squad.
Bradley was hugely impressive during his spell with Bolton, where he racked up 12 goal involvements from right-back. The youngster played a big part in The Wanderers campaign which saw them reach the League One play-offs. A 1-0 loss to Barnsley in the second leg brought their season to an end but the season was still considered highly successful. Bradley did taste success however in the Papa Johns Trophy, with a 4-0 win against Plymouth in the final at Wembley in which he played the full 90 minutes of. Quickly becoming a fan favourite at the University of Bolton Stadium, on the way to scooping up three Player of the Year awards at Bolton’s end of season awards.
Who is Conor Bradley?
An attack minded right-back, Bradley joined the Liverpool youth academy in 2019, arriving from Dungannon for an undisclosed fee. The loan to Bolton was the 19-year-old’s first taste of professional football and will no doubt be great experience in years to come. Although he won’t be starting for Liverpool next season, he could provide yet another option for The Reds in years to come. Still in his teenage years, Bradley has the world at his feet currently, and it won’t be too long till we see him playing Premier League football. It is unlikely that he will be playing in League One next season with Liverpool most likely wanting to keep the youngster at Anfield or potentially a loan to the Championship, however nothing has been said yet about Bradley’s future.
Writer’s View
Although it is highly unlikely that he’ll be starting for Liverpool next season, it would be no surprise to see the youngster make a handful of appearances of off the bench. I cannot see him dropping down to League One again after he proved his talent this season and a loan to the Championship could be the best call if Klopp wants to give Bradley more experience.
