Gethin Jones believes Conor Bradley secured the ‘perfect’ summer transfer through joining Bolton Wanderers on loan from Liverpool in his first temporary move yet, via quotes by The Bolton News.
Bradley agreed to a season-long switch to the League One outfit in June as Jurgen Klopp’s side bid to find the Northern Ireland defender regularly senior game time. He has so far enjoyed five first-team games for the Reds across all competitions, but has only featured for a combined 260 minutes so far.
Three of the right-back’s first-team outings and two of three starts with Liverpool have also come in Carabao Cup ties. Klopp afforded Jones his debut during the Merseyside outfit’s third-round win at Norwich City in September, before further cup games against Preston North End and Leicester City.
Bradley secured first loan transfer away from Liverpool to join Bolton
A loan transfer to Bolton for the upcoming campaign marks Bradley’s first spell away from Liverpool in his fledgling career. The 19-year-old has previously featured exclusively for the Anfield natives at youth and sparingly at senior levels. Yet Bradley has also earned three senior Northern Ireland caps.
Liverpool’s decision to loan Bradley to Bolton in search of regular senior minutes is so far appearing like a wise choice. The teenager should start the third-tier term as Wanderers boss Ian Evatt’s first-choice at right-wing-back, having produced solid form through the UniBol outfit’s pre-season games.
Wanderers vice-captain Jones ‘excited’ to see what Bradley now has in store
Bolton vice-captain Jones has also taken Bradley under his wing to help mentor the youngster as he adapts to regular first-team football. And the 26-year-old is excited to see what he now has in store.
“I do talk to him quite a bit and I’m excited to see how he gets on this season,” Jones said. “Me and Con have started to get a good relationship, and I have played every game with him so far.
“Obviously, he has been around the first-team at Liverpool, and so it’s perfect for him to come here, knowing the way we want to play. Even though he has played games for Liverpool and played international football he is still young, so he is still learning.
“The gaffer keeps telling me to put my experience to him, defensively. We play a 3-5-2, so there might be a little tweak to the way he will have played at Liverpool, especially defensively, but I think he is doing really well.”
Bolton continue their pre-season fixture list away to Carlisle United on Saturday following meetings with Watford and Wigan Athletic recently. Further friendlies are to follow against Bamber Bridge and Huddersfield Town, ahead of Wanderers raising the League One curtain at Ipswich Town on July 30.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
