Dean Jones has issued a glowing assessment of one Liverpool youngster, having received the inside track on him from a source at Anfield.

The journalist was discussing Conor Bradley during a recent appearance on the Ranks FC Podcast, and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the 20-year-old mentality as he eyes up a long-lasting career at the top level in England.

Jones said: “It’s interesting when you look at Conor Bradley’s upbringing. He grew up playing Gaelic football and being a great cross-country runner.

“When you understand those things and watch the way Conor Bradley plays football, it all comes together. He’s so tough and he has this other side to him where he seems very down to earth.

“I spoke to someone at Liverpool who says he’s genuinely such a good lad and he wants to be the best version of himself that he can, and that’s really encouraging in a 20-year-old footballer.”

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An in-dpeth article in The Athletic last month detailed how Bradley had an elite mindset even in his childhood, along with how he’d soak up information and advice from his coaches across the various sports that he played.

That determination for success, along with a humility and desire for constant learning, should stand him in very good stead throughout his career, and those endorsements come as no surprise when you look at how he’s performed for Liverpool this season.

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Thrust in at the deep end after Trent Alexander-Arnold got injured during the winter, the 20-year-old took to the Reds’ first team like a duck to water, with his first senior goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Chelsea a deserving reward for his tremendous performances.

Bradley’s mental toughness was also borne out in how he’s continued to impress even after the personal tragedy of his father’s death in early February.

When footballers break through at a high level before they turn 21, it can be easy for them to fall into the trap of believing their own hype and displaying undesirable traits on and/or off the pitch.

Liverpool won’t have to worry about that with the Northern Ireland youngster, who from everything we know about him is already a model professional.

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Conor Bradley is set to be ruled out of Liverpool’s forthcoming matches with an ankle injury, although the setback doesn’t appear to be as serious as first feared.

The 20-year-old was forced off shortly after half-time during the defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday, with James Pearce suggesting on the Walk On podcast that it could be a season-ending blow for the right-back.

However, Sky Sports News shared an update on the Northern Ireland international live on air this lunchtime, saying: “Liverpool defender Conor Bradley will be out for up to three weeks with the ankle injury that he sustained against Crystal Palace.

“Scans have shown that the injury is not as bad as initially feared, but it could be May before he’s back in training.”

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Judging by the suggested timeline, Bradley could return to action for Liverpool’s home clash against Tottenham on 5 May, or the trip to Villa Park eight days later.

The youngster’s injury blow compounded the anguish of losing at Anfield for the second time in four days at the weekend, although at least it comes at the same time that we’ve welcomed back Trent Alexander-Arnold from his own period in the treatment room.

Here’s hoping that the Northern Ireland youngster makes a swift recovery and can still play a part in the Reds’ run-in to the season.

You can view the injury news in full below, via @SkySportsNews on X:

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley has been ruled out of action for up to three weeks following an ankle injury sustained at the weekend pic.twitter.com/9mg1QRHACR

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 16, 2024

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Liverpool have already suffered more than their fair share of injury woe this season, and yet another body blow has emerged to compound a miserable week for the Reds.

The excruciating home defeat by Crystal Palace was worsened by the sight of Conor Bradley hobbling off the pitch early in the second half, and it appears to be more than just a knock that he can shake off.

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Speaking on the Walk On podcast, The Athletic’s reliable LFC correspondent James Pearce suggested that the 20-year-old’s campaign may have ended prematurely.

He said: “Then there was the sad sight of Conor Bradley hobbling off. It would be a surprise if we saw him again this season amid fears he may have damaged ankle ligaments.”

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano: ‘Interest emerging’ in Liverpool maestro, fate could ‘depend on new manager’

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The one silver lining to Bradley’s injury is that the substitution which forced him off the pitch on Sunday also saw Trent Alexander-Arnold make his first appearance since mid-February, so the vice-captain’s return to action couldn’t have been better timed.

Just as Liverpool were getting several key players back, though – Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker also made their respective returns over the past week – along comes this latest body blow to make it a case of two steps forward and one backwards in terms of squad availability.

Although Trent’s comeback would likely have seen the Northern Ireland youngster assume a backup role for the rest of the campaign in any event, it’s still a setback for the 20-year-old and the squad as a whole to have a superb breakthrough season cut short so abruptly.

Jurgen Klopp will now be praying that the Reds’ number 66 won’t suffer any body blows of his own for the next few weeks, even with Joe Gomez capable of deputising at right-back if required.

We wish Bradley the very best in his recovery from his injury, and hopefully he’ll pick up where he left off when he’s next able to feature for Liverpool.

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The sight of Trent Alexander-Arnold entering the pitch would normally be a completely heartwarming moment for the Anfield crowd.

Unfortunately, the No.66’s return to action came at the expense of what could be a serious injury for Liverpool’s deputy right-back Conor Bradley.

The ‘magnificent’ (as described by Robbie Fowler via TNT Sports) Northern Irishman seemed in some discomfort after a battle with Eberechi Eze and had to be escorted off the pitch by a couple of physios.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is coming on for Conor Bradley who has hurt himself in a tackle on Eberechi Eze.

The Northern Ireland defender earns a standing ovation as he hobbles off. https://t.co/KCrpk3DMJ6

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) April 14, 2024

Selected by 9.7% of #FPL managers, Conor Bradley limps off the field with an injury #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/wyLTIWevIs

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 14, 2024

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Did Crystal Palace end Liverpool’s title challenge

We don’t want to be reactionary in our analysis of our 1-0 home defeat to Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace.

That said, it’s extremely difficult to see how we manage to restore momentum at such a pivotal stage of the season having handed Arsenal an opportunity to go three points clear at the top of the table.

Bear in mind Manchester City have already secured a two-point advantage with their 5-1 hammering over Luton Town at the weekend.

Only six opportunities left in the league… and our rivals haven’t forgotten how to string a pass together.

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Given the proliferation of data and video analysis which is available from fixtures at the highest level of English football, you wouldn’t think there’d be too many secrets about players at Premier League level.

However, one top-flight captain admitted to being shocked by the talent possessed by Conor Bradley when he came up against the Liverpool youngster earlier this season.

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Tom Cairney was in opposition to the 20-year-old in both legs of the Reds’ Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham in January, and it was only them that the Cottagers ace realised how good the Northern Ireland right-back really is.

Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast, the Scotland international said: “I made the same mistake with Liverpool and Conor Bradley. I was like ‘Willian, get at him, he’s young, he’s fresh.’ Mate, he was the best player on the pitch. I was like ‘Oh my God!’ Have you seen what he’s done this season? He’s been an absolute joke!”

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At the time that Liverpool met Fulham in that Carabao Cup double header, Bradley was still widely regarded as an up-and-coming youngster reliant on domestic cups and Europa League group games for first-team involvement at Anfield.

However, the subsequent injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold saw him thrust into the Reds’ starting XI on a regular basis, and he’s made that biggest of leaps look incredibly easy, offering a defensive maturity and forward-thinking energy along the right flank.

With the vice-captain expected to be back fit by the time we visit Craven Cottage on 21 April, Cairney might be spared facing the 20-year-old once more this season, although we can’t imagine he’d be too thrilled to see the West Derby native in the LFC line-up either.

If the extent of Bradley’s talent came as a surprise to Fulham’s players and the wider world at the start of 2024, the cat is well and truly out of the bag now after a sries of accomplished displays from the Liverpool youngster.

The Cottagers captain has seen a lot in football, having made nearly 500 senior appearances, so it says a lot about the Tyrone native that he left the 33-year-old midfielder mindblown by his ability.

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One of Liverpool’s breakout stars of this season has been backed to go on and become a fully fledged Anfield legend.

A succession of injuries to established players has forced Jurgen Klopp to blood a series of up-and-coming talents in the first team, some of whom have already shown that they more than belong at senior level.

One of those is Conor Bradley, who’s been a confident and assured presence at right-back since coming in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier this year.

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The 20-year-old’s performance against Brighton on Sunday won glowing praise from Glenn Murray, who was analysing the game on Match of the Day 2.

The ex-Seagulls striker said of the Liverpool defender: “Very good from Conor Bradley. He realises what he was doing wrong. He becomes aggressive. He steps in all of a sudden.

“Again here, he has the nous to understand what he was doing wrong. This is all after the 30th minute. He was outstanding. He is going to be one of the Liverpool greats, I think, if he continues.”

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There were times during the first half yesterday that Bradley’s defensive positioning could’ve been better, with Brighton getting some joy along his flank, but he gradually settled into the game to enjoy another strong performance.

He was Liverpool’s highest-rated player according to Sofascore metrics, having won six tackles and a whopping 11 duels, along with completing four dribbles and 42 of his 49 passes, making three interceptions and executing four key passes.

He made a series of timely interventions at the back when the Seagulls were threatening an equaliser in the closing stages on Sunday, and the 20-year-old’s overall displays have been so commanding that Trent hinted that he mightn’t be guaranteed to come straight back into the team when fully recovered from injury.

Bradley still has a long way to go before fulfilling Murray’s claim that he could become a Liverpool ‘great’ – he’s only made 24 senior Reds appearances so far – but everything that he’s shown since the turn of the year suggests that he’s well on the right track to replicating the impact made by his positional peer who’s now out vice-captain.

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Rio Ferdinand has lauded Conor Bradley’s impressive campaign for Liverpool.

The Englishman compared the Northern Irishman’s rise to that of Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo, pointing to the pressure on the fullback’s shoulders replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“Yeah, he is a modern-day fullback, up and down, really comfortable in attacking areas,” the former centre-half said.

“A little bit, as I mentioned before with Kobbie [Mainoo], he doesn’t seem fazed. You’ve got to remember, an added layer for him is he’s come in and he’s replacing one of the best fullbacks in the world in Trent [Alexander-Arnold].

“That’s a pressure that I’ve not really heard anyone talk about. It’s not like coming in for one of the average players in the team; he’s coming in for one of the mainstays in the team.

“That brings a huge amount of pressure that he seems to have dealt with really, really well.”

The 20-year-old has registered seven goal contributions in 18 senior appearances for the Reds this term (across all competitions).

Our first-choice right-back will reportedly be back in the squad in time for our next trip to Old Trafford in April.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of Cool FM News on X:

Rio Ferdinand gives his opinion on two @NorthernIreland stars at opposite ends of their careers – @ManUtd defender Jonny Evans and @LFC’s new sensation @conorbradley03

He spoke to our Sports Reporter @Gareth_McCull earlier

pic.twitter.com/dYOtePZ4HX

— Cool FM News (@newsoncool) March 27, 2024

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2024 is proving to be a landmark year in the career of Liverpool defender Conor Bradley.

Eight weeks on from scoring his first senior Reds goal, the 20-year-old ticked off another major milestone by netting for his country for the first time on the occasion of his 15th cap. He did it in style, too, conjuring a sublime winner as Northern Ireland defeated Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

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The youngster took to Instagram after the match to post images of him celebrating that magnificent strike, along with the caption ‘First international goal’.

Unsurprisingly, Bradley had plenty of Liverpool teammates queuing up to congratulate him in the comments, with Caoimhin Kelleher, Virgil van Dijk, Harvey Elliott, Lewis Koumas and Bobby Clark all heaping praise on the right-back.

READ MORE: Neil Jones insists Liverpool ‘would be mad’ to part with ‘world-class performer’ any time soon

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The curious thing about Bradley’s performance last night is that, judging by Sofascore statistics, he had a very quiet 83 minutes on the pitch in Glasgow, completing only three passes, losing eight of his 10 duels, being dribbled past four times and giving away the ball on 12 occasions.

However, that mattered little once he curled home his exquisite winning goal, which had Belfast Telegraph reporter Graham Luney giving him a 9/10 in his post-match player ratings, dubbing the 20-year-old the ‘hero of Hampden’ and hailing him as a ‘lethal finisher disguised as a full-back’.

He’s made light of what could’ve been the crippling injury absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool by producing a series of outstanding performances on the right flank, and his landmark moment last night will see him return to Merseyside bursting with confidence ahead of the Reds’ run-in to the season.

We’re buzzing to see what the rest of the year has in store for Bradley, whose stock is rising rapidly as the weeks progress.

You can view Bradley’s Instagram post (and the comments from his Liverpool teammates) below, via conorbradley.03:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Conor Bradley (@conorbradley.03)

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Conor Bradley has been one of the brightest members of Klopp’s Kids this season and this brilliant form has continued onto the international stage.

Speaking after scoring his first goal for Northern Ireland, against a Scotland team which featured Andy Robertson who limped off with injury, it was easy to see how happy our right-back was.

READ MORE: (Video) Liverpool attacker’s Dad touts son’s future move to Real Madrid

The 20-year-old said: “It’s a privilege to score my first goal for my country, so yeah, I’m buzzing!”

With Trent Alexander-Arnold still not back to full fitness, it’s likely we’re going to see plenty more of our No.84 before the season comes to an end.

You can watch Bradley’s comments via @ViaplaySportsUK on X:

"It's a privilege to score my first goal for my country, so yeah, I'm buzzing!" @NorthernIreland's Conor Bradley speaks after scoring the winning goal for his side against Scotland 🟢 pic.twitter.com/9VUK0VUXY5

— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 26, 2024

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Conor Bradley is currently one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet at Liverpool and it appears the Northern Irishman is also impressing for his nation.

The 20-year-old was named in the starting XI for the Green and White Army’s clash with Scotland at Hampden Park this evening and our full-back opened the scoring with a superb strike just after the half hour mark.

Our No. 84 found himself in the Scotland penalty area pressing Everton’s Nathan Patterson who had possession of the ball.

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Bradley’s pressure paid off as he forced Patterson into a poor clearance and regained possession of the ball for his side.

He then drove further into the area to give himself a better angle and unleashed an unstoppable effort past Angus Gunn and into the top corner.

Check the defender’s goal below via @SamuelLFC on X:

CONOR BRADLEY WHAT A GOAL! pic.twitter.com/9SRa1yDFs6

— Samuel (@SamueILFC) March 26, 2024

The post (Video) Conor Bradley scores first Northern Ireland goal with absolute stunner against Scotland appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

There might be another five days to go before Liverpool resume their Premier League campaign, but Reds fans could be kept busy tonight with a host of Reds players set to represent their countries.

No fewer than 13 members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad could be in action over the next 12 hours or so, with most partaking in friendlies but one hoping to punch a ticket to a major tournament this summer.

We’ve looked at the baker’s dozen of LFC players who’ll be on international duty this evening and tonight, picking out a series of compelling narratives involving a few of those set to take to the pitch for their country.

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Could Kostas be off to Germany?

At 5pm UK time, Georgia and Greece face off in Tbilisi, with both hoping to become the 22nd team to secure a place at Euro 2024.

Kostas Tsimikas will be in action for the visitors as he seeks a first major tournament appearance for his country, who last played on the big stage in the World Cup in Brazil a decade ago.

Should the Greeks qualify this evening, the Liverpool left-back could find himself up against clubmate Diogo Jota in the summer, as the winners of this match join Portugal, Turkey and Czechia in Group F at the finals in June.

READ MORE: Liverpool eyeing move for German prodigy; has one thing in common with 3 Reds youngsters

Another chance for Elliott to fill his boots…and finally get the nod from Southgate?

Harvey Elliott quite enjoyed his most recent outing with England’s under-21s, scoring twice in their 5-1 win away to Azerbaijan last Friday, which took them a step closer to qualification for the European finals in 2025 as they seek to retain the trophy.

The Liverpool gem will fancy his chances of adding to his international tally tonight as Lee Carsley’s side host Luxembourg, which could present an opportunity for another convincing victory.

If the 20-year-old nets another brace and continues his fine form at club level, he’ll surely become impossible for Gareth Southgate to ignore when selecting the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 – or so you’d like to think.

Friendship set aside for a couple of hours

Conor Bradley spoke glowingly about the helpful advice he’s been receiving from fellow Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, although their friendship and camaraderie will be put to one side for a couple of hours tonight.

The elder of the two will be on the home side as Scotland continue their preparations for Euro 2024 against Northern Ireland, with the young right-back set to win his 15th senior cap – nearly as many games as he’s played for the Reds’ first team.

We know that both men will be fully committed once they cross the white line – just go easy on each other if you find yourself duelling, lads!

READ MORE: Liverpool fans may be despairing over news that’s been confirmed today for Brighton clash

Could Liverpool duo be facing their next club boss?

We still don’t know who’ll be in charge of Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool next season, although one man who’s been touted as a possible successor to Klopp will be hoping to get one over on the Reds duo tonight.

Netherlands are in Frankfurt to take on Germany, who of course are under the stewardship of Julian Nagelsmann.

The ex-Bayern Munich manager has been touted among the contenders to potentially replace his fellow countryman in the Anfield dugout – will LFC’s Dutchmen be about to come up against their future boss?

A nervous night awaits by the Mediterranean

From a potential future Liverpool manager to the current one…Klopp will be crossing his fingers that all of his players come through the night unscathed, and he may be keeping an especially nervous eye on one man in particular.

Ibrahima Konate missed the Reds’ last three matches with a hamstring injury, although it’s been reported that he’s set to feature for France in their game against Chile in Marseille (Daily Mail).

His club boss won’t be overly keen on seeing the 24-year-old lining out in an international friendly so soon after being sidelined, and with a hectic and pivotal run-in to the season just around the corner.

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Northern Ireland are very much looking to the future and younger legs as they secured a 1-1 draw with Euros 2024-bound Romania.

Conor Bradley was described as taking his ‘outstanding form’ for Liverpool into the national side in their international friendly draw.

“Bradley is the joint link between the comparison between Klopp’s refreshed Liverpool and O’Neill’s youthful side,” BBC Sport NI’s Andy Gray reported.

“He has carried his outstanding form for the Anfield side into his international set-up.

“He linked up well with Charles, Hume and Isaac Price – another 20-year-old – and O’Neill was quick to praise his young players.”

Jamie Reid (29) registered his first goal for Michael O’Neill’s side and was the oldest player to feature in an otherwise revamped Green and White Army outfit.

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READ MORE: Liverpool’s next five Premier League games compared to Arsenal and Manchester City

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Conor Bradley is the future of Liverpool Football Club

How blessed are we to have two remarkable right-backs in Bradley and Trent Alexander-Arnold?

The presence of the two fullbacks will present an intriguing conundrum for the next manager to walk in through the doors of the AXA training centre.

Our Scouse Academy graduate has long been linked with a move higher up the pitch. Calls have become increasingly fervent since his successful moulding into an inverted fullback.

In fairness, it’s a potential switch that would see Bradley offered more regular minutes, though that shouldn’t necessarily be the sole motivator.

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Conor Bradley has praised Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson for the ‘brilliant’ advice he’s received from the latter ever since breaking into the senior squad at Anfield.

The 20-year-old has been a regular presence in the Reds’ starting line-up over the past couple of months, stepping up commendably to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury-enforced absence.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Northern Ireland’s friendly against Scotland next Tuesday, in which he’ll come up against his fellow LFC full-back, the Tyrone youngster said that the ex-Hull defender has been a huge help to him during his breakthrough into Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Bradley stated: “Andy’s been brilliant with me. Since I came into the Liverpool squad he’s been helping me through the whole time, giving me little tips and settling the nerves before games.”

When asked what’s the best piece of advice Robertson has given, the 20-year-old replied: “Probably just the consistency. He just keeps battering me about being consistent and to keep doing the same things every day.”

Ever since stepping up in Trent’s absence, the Northern Ireland youngster has shown that consistency with a series of dynamic and mature performances, a feat made all the more commendable in the context of suffering the bereavement of his father only a few weeks ago.

If Bradley continues to exhibit the qualities that he’s shown at Liverpool so far, his ceiling is limitless.

You can view the right-back’s comments on Robertson below, via @SkySportsPL on X:

"He's been brilliant with me"

Ahead of Scotland Northern Ireland, Conor Bradley discusses the influence Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson has had on him pic.twitter.com/L5yISJvc0b

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2024

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Jurgen Klopp has made three changes in personnel to Liverpool’s starting line-up for the FA Cup visit to Manchester United, with one of those making way being described as an ‘intriguing’ call.

The returns of Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz were all expected after the trio were among the substitutes against Sparta Prague on Thursday night, although the captain’s recall sees a domino effect in defence as Joe Gomez moves to right-back, with Conor Bradley dropping to the bench.

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Paul Gorst was reacting to the team news on the Liverpool Echo‘s live matchday blog (14:39), stating: “No [Ibrahima] Konate then, as anticipated but Gomez over Bradley is an intriguing one.

“Does Klopp want to have a bit more solidity down that side? Or maybe he’s just picking Gomez based on the outstanding form he’s been in for months.”

READ MORE: Confirmed Liverpool lineup v Man Utd: Gomez starts, Gravenberch back in matchday squad

READ MORE: Bobby Clark’s brother shuts down transfer report with savage three-word tweet

Coming into today’s match, the composition of the back four always promised to be the main talking point of Liverpool’s starting XI, and so it’s proven.

Despite Konate being ruled out through injury, it speaks to the luxury of defensive options that Klopp can call upon that he’d readily omit the thriving Bradley in order to keep Gomez in the team. It’s also a tremendous show of faith in Jarell Quansah, who keeps his place at centre-back alongside Van Dijk.

The 26-year-old will be tasked with shackling Marcus Rashford, who despite a largely quiet season has scored in his last two games and has netted six times against us previously (Transfermarkt).

More often than not, the German gets it spot-on with his team selections. Let’s hope that proves to be the case again today.

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Paul Merson has lauded the talents of Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford.

The pair have been ever-present in the Reds’ first-team this season amid injuries to the likes of Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“The likes of Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley have also been absolutely different class,” the former Gunners star wrote for Sportskeeda. “Liverpool have good professionals at the club, making it a great environment for these young players to come into the team and flourish.”

The young fullback has excelled in his breakthrough campaign at L4, registering six goal contributions in 17 appearances in 2023/24.

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READ MORE: Brian Priske has warned Ten Hag’s Manchester United what’s coming from Liverpool

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An environment built to get the best out of youngsters

It goes without saying that we shouldn’t just be dishing out praise to Quansah and Bradley (though Merson is absolutely correct in his assessment).

The environment at Liverpool, carefully cultivated since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival in 2015, makes it a hotbed of rising stars.

Take a look at the likes of Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns and James McConnell, to name a few more who have thrived this term.

It’s critical that whoever comes in to replace the manager this summer keeps the tradition alive.

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