Jurgen Klopp says 20-year-old Liverpool youngster really impressed him yesterday

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised the performance of youngster Conor Bradley during last night’s pre-season opener.

The Reds kicked off their 2023/24 season with a 4-2 win over Karlsruher SC in Germany, with Bradley given the chance to impress at right-back in a strong-looking Liverpool XI. Trent Alexander-Arnold started in midfield in a clear indication that Klopp is taking a long look at his deputy.

And speaking to LFCTV after the game, the Liverpool manager gave a nod to Bradley’s display, as well as a couple of his teammates.

“Well look, first half it was clear, the new boys – the kids and Dom [Szoboszlai] – were the best in counter-press,” Jurgen began.

“So they obviously say, ‘Oh my God, the boss said this and that’ and they go. They all have to do that. It’s not that because it’s my idea, it’s just because we have to do it in common. I liked Dom a lot, especially when he was half-left, looked really good, Bobby [Clark] did really well, Conor Bradley was super, so that’s all positive signs.

“Let’s keep going, let’s keep going. This is not a season-defining game – we know that – but we came through and, as far as I know, nobody has any issues. Good.”

Bradley begins pre-season audition

There was a lot to like about Liverpool’s team sheet yesterday. But one of the big talking points was certainly Klopp’s use of Alexander-Arnold and Bradley.

It could perhaps have been due to a lack of other options, but it was actually the first time Trent has ever started a game in midfield proper for Liverpool.

Of course, he’s played his hybrid role on about a dozen occasions now. That’s always been from right-back, though. Up until last night in Germany, the 24-year-old had never been given complete freedom in the middle of the pitch.

It will be so, so intriguing to see whether that’s something Klopp sticks with.

You get the feeling that whether he does or not will depend on two factors: Firstly, can Liverpool bring new bodies in. If they do sign a midfielder or two, it’s hard to see where there’s then room for Alexander-Arnold.

But the second one will depend on how Bradley does between now and August 13th. If he can prove to Jurgen that he’s ready to step up – as he intends to – we could see him start the season as Liverpool’s right-back. That would then allow Trent to move up and perhaps save the Reds some money.

Klopp will have to decide on that quickly. There’s no time to lose as we try to plug the gaps that are set to open up in the squad over the next few days. But judging by his reaction to Bradley’s 45 minutes here, maybe he’s working on an in-house solution. Keep it going, Conor!