Conor Bradley has had an extraordinary week. After proudly captaining Northern Ireland for the first time, the Liverpool starlet donned the armband on home turf as his nation thrashed Bulgaria 5-0 in their UEFA Nations League clash on Sunday.
The year 2024 has been a period of significant advancement for the right-back, who cemented his place in Liverpool's first-team squad early in the year, clinched his first major trophy with the club and quickly became a key player for new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
However, when Bradley was encouraged to take a loan move to League One outfit Bolton Wanderers at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, the defender couldn't shake off a feeling of apprehension.
"They told me that they wouldn't forget about me when I was out on loan," reveals the 21 year old. "But at the time, you don't really believe it. You think 'a loan, that's sort of me done here'. But you have to keep working hard."
"I played around 50 games for Bolton and it was the best thing for me at that time. It turned me into what I am now, it changed me from a boy into a man. I'm so grateful for the opportunity Bolton gave me to go and play so many games there. It got me ready for coming back at Liverpool and giving it my best shot."
Bradley, who joined the Liverpool Academy over five years ago, bounced back from an injury last summer to make a timely return just before Christmas. He stepped in for the missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, demonstrating his worth and securing his future at Anfield.
By the season's end, he had notched up 23 appearances and has already featured six times this term.
With a gruelling fixture list as Liverpool contend on multiple fronts, Bradley is optimistic about getting more game time. Moreover, with Alexander-Arnold's contract entering its final year and no new deal yet inked, there's a potential spot opening up next season.
"Everybody knows how good Trent is," Bradley acknowledges. "He's one of a kind as a footballer. But my aim is the same as last season - whenever I get a chance to be on the pitch I'm going to do my best to help the team. It's about winning the games and giving my all."
"I know I've got some decent competition. If I'm training well, hopefully it can push Trent on and that can only be good for the team."
The immediate challenge for Liverpool is a match against the in-form Chelsea, as they continue their Premier League campaign at Anfield this Sunday. The Northern Irishman, Bradley, fondly recalls scoring his first goal for the Reds and providing two assists in a 4-1 victory over the same team in January.
He also started in the following month's League Cup final win against the Londoners at Wembley.
"I've got some special memories against Chelsea," says Bradley. "The first one was at Anfield in my home debut in the Premier League, that was a special night and something I'll remember forever."
"Then there was the League Cup final, which felt like a win against the odds when we were playing the game. We just had so many injuries. I started at right-back and 20 minutes in I had to move to the right wing because Ryan (Gravenberch) got injured."
"It was a crazy experience and a day I'll never forget. Winning a trophy for my dream football club is pretty special. It was a wonderful day."
"I'd played in a final with Bolton the year before (the EFL Trophy in which Plymouth Argyle were beaten 4-0 at Wembley) and that was a good experience as well. It probably got me ready for what was coming the following year. I knew what to expect. That was a good step for me."
Reflecting on his rapid rise this year, Bradley adds: "It was a long time ago that I'd made by debut (September 2021 in League Cup at Norwich) so it has been a long journey."
"Obviously I had to go out on loan to prove myself. Then I came back, I did my pre-season and then got an injury which meant I was out for four months. When I got back fit, everything sort of fell in place for me. Trent got injured, and it gave me an opportunity and I tried to take it the best I could. At that stage I was playing twice a week and it was brilliant for me."
Bradley didn't pinpoint an exact moment when he felt like a regular first-team player at Liverpool.
"No, I think it's just a gradual thing," he states. "It's a mad thing to describe - you are used to always being the young kid coming through the ranks, and you're really nervous when you first come in as you're around big stars."
"I don't think there's an actual point where it changes. It's just gradually getting used to it and feeling comfortable around the boys. Now I enjoy playing my football with them."
As one of 43 Academy players given a Liverpool debut by Jurgen Klopp, Bradley expresses immense gratitude.
"I'm so grateful for him giving me my chance in the first team," he remarks about Klopp. "He was a special manager, especially with the young players. He always made us feel welcome, and he made sure we were looked after."
"With Pep (Lijnders) and Vitor (Matos), they probably knew about me a bit longer than Jurgen did from watching Academy games. They saw me. But Jurgen was really special."
Bradley is already embracing the new era under Slot and has highlighted how matters have changed under the Dutchman.
"Obviously there are some differences," he says. "In most parts it's quite similar. I'd say the new manager has a bit more structure in the way he wants us to build up from the back and play through midfield and switch it when we can. I've really enjoyed working with the new gaffer. It's been really good so far and hopefully it continues like that."
"Under Jurgen it was a bit chaotic at times and that was how he wanted us to play and the results suggest there was nothing wrong with that."
"But it's definitely more controlled now. The new manager doesn't want me running up and down the wing forever. He wants me to stay in position and do what he wants, he wants you in a certain position at every stage during the game. It's quite tactical but I'm enjoying it and I've learned a lot in the last few months."
And Bradley is setting his sights high this campaign. "The aim is to win the Premier League," he says.
"Every year you play for Liverpool Football Club, the aim has to be to win trophies. We know it's going to be difficult with City and Arsenal, massive clubs who have bought well."
"Personally I'm hoping for chances to play in the Champions League. I played in the San Siro back in December 2021 and it was a special night for me, a famous stadium. I am looking forward to more minutes in that competition."
