Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neil raves about Liverpool’s Conor Bradley after beating Luxembourg

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Liverpool players have been looking to take their good club form into the international showings this week.

The Reds have started the season brilliantly, winning three games out of three and putting in good performances across the board.

Some have stood out more than others in this respect, but whoever has contributed to Liverpool’s winning start has done so in a positive way. So far, though, it has been a mixed bag for the Liverpool squad on international duty.

Argentine media were happy with Alexis Mac Allister after he got a goal on Friday morning, but Andy Robertson was given poor reviews for his part in Scotland’s late defeat against Poland.

Another in action on Thursday evening was Conor Bradley, and it’s safe to say that Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neil was impressed by the Liverpool academy graduate.

Conor Bradley earns rave review

Although Bradley has not been a key man during Liverpool’s first three games of the campaign, it is obvious that he is in Arne Slot’s plans.

After Slot seemingly decided that Trent Alexander-Arnold will play at right-back and not in midfield, Bradley is a very clear second choice.

That will obviously lead to a difficulty for the 21-year-old to get too much game time, but he has come off the bench in each of Liverpool’s opening matches.

That would suggest that Slot has been pleased with Bradley so far and is keen to keep him involved.

READ MORE: Steve McManaman reveals what Arne Slot has said behind the scenes about Liverpool’s youngsters

For Northern Ireland, it is a completely different story. Having shot to stardom at Anfield last season, Bradley has become the great hope of his country.

And after he starred in a midfield role for his team in a 2-0 win over Luxembourg on Thursday, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neil raved about what he’d seen from Bradley.

“He’s just turned 21, he’s a terrific player, and the attributes are there for everyone to see,” O’Neil said via the Belfast Telegraph.

“Conor will go to a very, very high level in the game. It’s game time that he needs and he’s at a club where that’s not easy to get. But when he comes here he embraces it.”

Does Conor Bradley need more game time?

While it is pleasing to hear that Bradley is doing so well, it is worth ruminating on O’Neil’s last point for a second.

The right-back is clearly an exceptionally talented young player and took his chance when given it last season.

But as Bradley is behind one of the most important players in Liverpool’s team, there will come a point where the question of whether he’s playing enough is going to be asked.

Obviously, there is the issue of Alexander-Arnold’s contract to take into account. If a resolution cannot be found, then Liverpool already have a clear plan with Bradley.

But supporters will hope that Trent is in line to stay at the club for years to come. Quite where that would leave Bradley is up for debate. He is certainly becoming harder to ignore, though.