Northern Ireland’s Conor Bradley would love to be playing at the Euro 2024 Finals. Instead, he will watch his Liverpool team-mates strut their stuff in Germany, dreaming that one day he will be performing at a major tournament himself.
The 20-year-old has the quality to light one up in the years ahead having shone brightly for club and country over the past six months, taking his game to a new level in the process.
Bradley says he has much to thank the now former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for and, in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, has spoken about how he is looking forward to working with the new Anfield supremo Arne Slot.
A class act on and off the pitch, Bradley has travelled quite the distance since making his Northern Ireland debut three years ago as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Malta.
With his all action style, commitment in the tackle and fearless nature, it didn’t take him long to become a firm favourite with the Green and White Army, who were chanting his name at Hampden Park in March after he scored the winner against Scotland.
That stunning strike followed a beauty for Liverpool in the Premier League against Chelsea at Anfield, leading to roars of ‘there’s only one Conor Bradley’ from the Kop.
On Saturday before Spain moved into overdrive to win 5-1 in a friendly, he caused them problems in his attacking role for Northern Ireland which he enjoys. On Tuesday night, he hopes to deliver against Andorra in his final game of a memorable season.
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Reflecting on his time as an international from 2021, Bradley said: “It’s been mad. It was three years not that long ago that I made my debut.
“It’s been a great journey so far and I just want to keep going and look towards the future and hopefully qualify for a major tournament. That would be my main aim.”
The European Championships begin just three days after Northern Ireland play Andorra and with Liverpool players such as Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Diogo Jota playing, Bradley will be tuning in.
“I have friends playing in the Euros and I’ll be keeping an eye but I’ll also be gutted I’m not in the Euros. I’ll definitely be watching it,” said the Tyrone man.
First things first, though; Andorra with O’Neill set to once again play Bradley further forward than he does for his club, where he has normally featured at right back. “I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we will put on a good performance,” said the Liverpool hero.
“It’s no secret that I prefer going forwards to going backwards and hopefully I can chip in with goals or assists where I can and help the team.
“We are going to have a little bit more of the ball than we did against Spain and it will show a different side to us.
“We need to make sure we create chances against a deep low block.”
Bradley was buzzing to see Caolan Boyd-Munce earn his first international cap against Spain and would be just as pleased if Aaron Donnelly is in the same boat versus Andorra.
This is a new era for Northern Ireland with so many young players and Bradley feels O’Neill is taking them in the right direction.
“I think we are developing really well. The Spain game was a tough test. We knew that before the game but I feel we are taking strides in every camp and we are improving, gelling more as a team and playing better together and I think that is going to continue especially with Michael in charge,” stated Bradley.
Talking about managers, the 20-year-old only has glowing things to say about Klopp, who gave him his Liverpool debut in 2021 and this season showed faith in the youngster to play him regularly for the Reds when Alexander-Arnold was injured.
“I owe everything to him,” said Bradley with a smile.
“He gave me my chance at my dream club and the club I have supported since I was young and I’m so grateful for everything he did for me.”
Asked about working with Dutchman Slot, who has taken over from Klopp, Bradley said: “I’m looking forward to it. Obviously there are going to be massive changes within the club. There will be new ideas and fresh faces and hopefully it will go well and we can get off to a good start.”
Bradley has already won the League Cup with Liverpool, delivering a stirring display from the start against Chelsea in this year’s Wembley Final, which was decided by Van Dijk’s extra-time goal. At that stage, Liverpool were in contention for four trophies but ended up with just one.
“It was probably a disappointing end to the season,” admitted Bradley.
“We wanted more than one Cup but it was a brilliant season on a personal note. All my dreams came true in the past 12 months. It’s been special and onwards to next season. We want to keep getting better and keep improving.”