Northern Ireland failed to build from their 2-0 win against Luxembourg with a surprise defeat away to Bulgaria, with Liverpool’s Conor Bradley again featuring.
Manager Michael O’Neil was full of praise for Bradley after last week’s result in the UEFA Nations League, with the Liverpool youngster showing for Northern Ireland why he is one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League.
However, last night in Plovdiv was a different story for Bradley as Northern Ireland were beaten 1-0 by Bulgaria in a result that caught many by surprise, with the right-back also picking up a booking in the second half.
And Northern Irish media were not impressed with what they saw from Bradley.
Bradley slammed for ineffective Northern Ireland performance
Although Bradley is only 21-years-old and a defender, it’s clear already that the Liverpool fullback will be an important cornerstone for Northern Ireland’s prospects of success in the years to come.
Which is likely why the youngster was as brutally rated as he was for yesterday’s performance, with Belfast Live criticising Bradley for now exerting his usual influence on the game than in previous matches.
The Belfast Telegraph also noted how Bradley wasn’t as impactful on the game as he usually is, with the defender called out for not doing better with a first-half chance that could have given Northern Ireland the lead.
Indeed, Bradley is still very much at the start of his international career with Northern Ireland, and whilst last night’s result in Bulgaria was disappointing, the Liverpool defender will doubt take the correct lessons from the game ahead of future matches.
Bradley will want to redeem himself in the next international break
Bradley and Northern Ireland will be disappointed with their loss in Plovdiv, with O’Neil’s side looking impressing against Luxembourg last week with the Liverpool defender in top form.
Yet with the next international break only a month away, Bradley will want to redeem himself, with the fullback likely to get some minutes with Liverpool having already featured for Arne Slot this season.
The 21-year-old is a top prospect for Liverpool and a player who has a big future for club and country, and Bradley will want to show the world what he’s made of in the next international break.
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