Micah Richards gives ‘special’ verdict on Conor Bradley but highlights big question mark over Liverpool right-back

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Liverpool moved one step closer towards glory on Easter Sunday after beating Leicester City 1-0.

It was not a pretty performance from the Reds, but a late Trent Alexander-Arnold goal meant it didn’t have to be.

One win is now all that stands between Liverpool and the 2024/25 Premier League title.

With his future at Anfield still unresolved, Alexander-Arnold took the headlines after slamming a first left-footed goal of his career past Mads Hermansen.

Trent has been out of the team recently and initially started from the bench at the King Power Stadium, Conor Bradley continuing his stint as understudy turned starter.

And as Bradley prepares to take the reins from Alexander-Arnold next season, former full-back Micah Richards has given his take on whether the 21-year-old is ready for it.

Question mark hangs over ‘special’ Conor Bradley

Bradley earned praise from Gary Neville for his performance against Leicester, but it was not all good from the youngster.

While he can be a real threat at times, there are also moments where it is clear Bradley is still a young player learning his trade.

Alan Shearer thinks Liverpool have a decision to make over Bradley and speaking to The Rest Is Football on Sunday evening, Richards suggested the same, while also highlighting the good parts of his game.

“I think in the wider context it was nice to see Conor Bradley as well to see what he could bring to this team potentially going forward, do they need to sign a right-back, will he be second in command,” said the former Man City defender.

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“But I think he’s got something special as well, in a different way. He’s more aggressive defensively but still makes really intelligent runs, more inside than outside. I liked the link up with him and Salah today as well and I think he’s got a real chance.

“I think the question mark is whether he’s going to be the number one,” Richards added. “I think he’s got all the attributes to do that but that is the one question mark that Liverpool fans will be asking.”

Gary Lineker weighs in on Bradley

Following on from Richards’ comments, host Gary Lineker also gave his two cents on whether Bradley is good enough to be first-choice for Liverpool.

“It’s a tough act to follow but I think it probably helps him that he’s a totally different style of full-back to Trent,” Lineker claimed.

“He’s not got the passing range, but he’s got great energy, gets up and down, gets crosses in, his runs are really good. I suppose for Liverpool they’ll probably look at a right-back anyway as back-up because he would have been the back-up to Trent before, I don’t know.”

What Liverpool decide to do in the market will be fascinating this summer. There are a number of different approaches they could take.

But what is clear is that while Bradley may not be perfect, he has every chance of stamping his authority on the right-back position next season.