Conor Bradley declined offers from Southampton, Manchester United and Chelsea in order to join Liverpool.
The 20-year-old Bradley has had a breakthrough season with the Reds following a successful loan stint with Bolton in 2022–2023.
The Northern Ireland international has made nine appearances for the Reds in all competitions despite having started the season with an injury.
He made his Premier League debut in the team’s 4-0 victory against Bournemouth last month. The right-back bagged an assist in that game, while he got two more in 5-2 FA Cup win over Norwich.
Bradley then made headlines for being named Man of the Match against Chelsea, as he contributed two assists and one goal to the team’s 4-1 victory.
When Bradley made his move in 2019, the 15-year-old winger, yes he was a winger in those days, revealed to the Belfast Telegraph how the transfer happened and that Liverpool wasn’t the only major team interested.
“I was training with the Liverpool Academy in Belfast and they brought me over for a trial,” he is quoted as saying. “I didn’t do very well at first but then I went to Germany on a tour in April 2016 and I was named Players’ Player of the Tour. That was really the start of it all for me.”
He continued: “I played a game for Northern Ireland in Newry and after that, I had Chelsea and Manchester United looking at me as well.”
Bradley stated that in addition to being a lifelong Red, what drew him to Liverpool was the club’s “family” and “education” elements.
He said: “I went to United and Southampton on trial but we picked Liverpool. It wasn’t just because I support them, it was because they’re a real family club and that’s something we all really appreciate.
“They’re also keen on the education side of it, which is very important to me.”
The youngster has impressed the fans and Jurgen Klopp with his performances this season. It won’t be wrong to say that his recent form makes him more eligible to start for Liverpool ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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