While Liverpool can secure the Premier League title this weekend with a win at Leicester City, there is still one member of Arne Slot’s squad who wishes the campaign had gone a little differently.
Because, while the 2024/25 season was supposed to be his confirmation year as one of the finest young prospects in European football, instead the injury gods have slammed their smiting foot onto the breaks to halt Conor Bradley’s hopes of accelerating his way into Arne Slot’s first XI.
The Northern Ireland international has only started three Premier League games under the former Feyenoord boss.
And while Liverpool legend Sammy Lee remains convinced that Bradley is the man to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold from the July onwards, the 21-year-old will head into the summer with a nagging feeling that the current campaign has maybe not been the step forward he was looking for.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Bradley is relishing the prospect of celebrating the first Premier League title of his career this weekend. Liverpool will be crowned champions if they defeat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beleaguered Leicester, and Arsenal slip up at Ipswich Town.
Conor Bradley looking forward to Premier League celebrations despite Liverpool frustration
Bradley should be available for Arne Slot after returning from injury against West Ham United last time out.
The buccaneering full-back helped set up Luis Diaz’s goal off the bench at Fulham and then followed that up with his first league start since the Merseyside derby victory over Everton.
“It would be really special if we can get over the line,” Bradley admits. “Whenever you join a club like Liverpool, you dream of winning the Premier League. I have supported Liverpool all of my life and bringing home the Premier League would be so special.
“We have just got to keep playing our football.
“We are top of the league for a reason, because we have played really good football, and hopefully if we can do that for a few more games we should have it won and I am sure there would be great celebrations if we do it too.”
The former Bolton Wanderers loanee has certainly had his moments under Slot.
Conor Bradley was outstanding up against Kylian Mbappe as Liverpool cruised past Real Madrid in the Champions League, for instance. Yet, while that felt like a coming-of-age display, opportunities to really cement his status as Alexander-Arnold’s readymade successor have been relatively few and far between in the months since.
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating year for me with injuries,” adds Bradley, having spent time out of the team with hamstring and muscle issues. “But I am really happy to be back and back with the team, and hopefully I can help as much as I can and bring the Premier League home.”
“It’s my dream club. I am a Liverpool fan all my life so I am enjoying my time here.
“I just want to keep working really hard and keep doing well for the club and keep bringing trophies home if possible.”
Bradley in talks over a new deal under Arne Slot at Anfield
While Alexander-Arnold looks destined to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, Liverpool hope to tie down Bradley after opening talks a few weeks ago.
Despite speculation linking The Reds with talented right-backs such as Wesley Franca, Roger Fernandes and Givairo Read – Arne Slot handed the Feyenoord starlet his debut in 2024 – Bradley appears destined to play a major role in the club’s short and long-term future.
Provided he can put the injuries behind him, of course.
“It’s really good for the likes me because they are putting faith in the club and they know the club is going in the right direction,” Bradley adds. To play with players of [their] calibre is a privilege.
“Just how good they are, not just in games but in training every day, and the things you can learn of them, it’s brilliant and good for every Liverpool fan out there.”
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
