Northern Ireland star Conor Bradley has spoken about his special memories playing for Liverpool against Chelsea ahead of Sunday’s big Premier League clash between the sides at Anfield.
Fresh from captaining his country in a stunning 5-0 victory over Bulgaria in the Nations League at Windsor Park on Tuesday night, Bradley is likely to be on the bench when the top of table Reds take on the in form Blues, but given Arne Slot’s belief in the 21-year-old there is every chance he could feature at some stage.
And let’s face it the Castlederg native has enjoyed himself facing the Stamford Bridge outfit in the past.
In January this year, Bradley was sensational, scoring his first league goal for Liverpool in their 4-1 victory versus Chelsea and a month later he impressed again as Jurgen Klopp’s youthful side defeated the London club 1-0 in the Carabao Cup final.
“I’ve special memories from playing against Chelsea – scoring my first goal and winning the Cup final and things like that,” said Bradley.
“It’s always going to be a special fixture for me when we play them but I have to forget about that now and focus on Sunday as it’s another big game for us.
“We’re top of the table at the moment and we want to stay there. We have tough fixtures coming up but we have to focus on the next game.
“We just take every game as it comes, you can only beat whoever’s in front of you. We’ve had a really good start and played some good football. It’s going to be a step up in level now but we’re all relishing it…I can’t wait for it.”
Bradley has gone from strength to strength at club and international level in 2024.
At the start of the year when Trent Alexander Arnold was injured he took his chance at Liverpool and has excelled since though the full-back admitted this week that he still has much to learn and work on going forward.
One of the highlights this year has been that brilliant Liverpool goal against Chelsea.
Bradley commented: “It was a mental night. I didn’t really expect to start because Trent (Alexander-Arnold) was back, but the gaffer (Klopp) put trust in me to play.
“I used that in the game and went into it full of confidence. It was a surreal night scoring my first goal.
“I remember making a tackle and winning a free kick and then the Kop was singing my name, I can’t describe in words what that felt like…it’s mental.
“It’s definitely one of the most special nights, My mates were over for it and I remember going back home after it and I was thinking ‘what has just happened’.
“I had a couple of games before it with the Cup games against Norwich and Fulham, so that gave me a bit of preparation.
“I felt match fit and ready for it…it was just a really special night.”
Another followed at Wembley in February, again with Chelsea the opposition as Bradley collected his first winners medal as a senior Liverpool star.
“That was a weird one as we were really light in numbers, we didn’t have many players left,” explained the Tyrone man.
“Ryan (Gravenberch) had to come off and Joe (Gomez) came on so I had to go to right wing.
“I had never played there before in my professional career. it was mad, that’s where Mo Salah usually plays and now there was a young lad from Castlederg playing there.
“I really enjoyed the experience. To lift a trophy with my dream club, who I’ve supported all my life, was surreal and another very special night for me.”