Ian Wright Believes Conor Bradley Could Reach New Heights at Liverpool
Conor Bradley delivered a flawless performance for Liverpool against Real Madrid, impressing fans and pundits alike. Ian Wright now suggests that Bradley is on the verge of elevating his game further for the Anfield team.
Dominant Defensive Display Against Vinicius Jr
The Northern Irish defender effectively contained Vinicius Jr, who repeatedly attempted to win a penalty or free kick through various tactics. Despite Vinicius's efforts, Bradley remained composed and prevented him from breaking through. When these attempts failed, the Brazilian resorted to diving in hopes of earning the right-back a yellow or red card to benefit Real Madrid.
"No matter what Vinicius tried, he couldn’t seem to get past Bradley, so in the end, he resorted to diving on the ground to try and get the right-back yellow or red carded and give Real an advantage."
Fortunately for Liverpool, the referee did not fall for these antics, and Bradley maintained focus throughout the entire match.
Growing Confidence Under Arne Slot
Wright believes that Bradley’s confidence will grow significantly under the management of Arne Slot, especially following his standout performance on Tuesday.
Every tackle and pass from Bradley was executed with precision, showcasing his reliability in defense. The start of the 2025–26 season saw his confidence dip due to the signing of Jeremie Frimpong by Liverpool. However, Frimpong's injury issues and inconsistent form have put Bradley back in the spotlight.
"Coming into the 2025-26 season, his confidence was likely down since the Reds chose to sign Jeremie Frimpong; however, since he’s been out injured and has failed to live up to the same levels as Bradley, the Dutchman will have a lot of making up to do upon his return."
Speaking on the Stick to Football Podcast, Wright emphasized how this recent performance will boost Bradley's self-belief moving forward.
Summary
Ian Wright sees Conor Bradley’s recent performance as a key milestone that could spark a significant rise in the young defender's career at Liverpool under Arne Slot’s guidance.
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