Conor Bradley did something which amazed Liverpool fans after less than one minute vs Arsenal

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool started like Premier League champions against Arsenal on Sunday, putting two early goals past the Gunners at Anfield.

The Reds were not at their best last weekend as the post-title winning celebrations caught up to them against Chelsea.

But right from the first minute against Arsenal it was clear that Liverpool had shaken it out of their systems.

Having brought in some fringe players to start at Stamford Bridge, Arne Slot went with a much more regular Liverpool XI on Sunday.

As promised, this meant a start for Conor Bradley, with Trent Alexander-Arnold afforded a spot on the bench.

And after a week of the spotlight being on both Bradley and Alexander-Arnold, the Northern Irishman stepped up and delivered after just seconds of Sunday’s big game.

Conor Bradley sets the tone against Arsenal

Slot had confirmed during his press conference on Friday that Bradley would start over Alexander-Arnold for this one.

With the regular right-back confirming his intention to leave the club at the end of the season on Monday, that felt like the right decision.

And it did not take Bradley long to show that he absolutely deserved to get the nod.

As per journalist Lewis Steele, the 21-year-old set the tone right from the start to launch into a crunching tackle and get the Liverpool fans immediately onside.

READ MORE: David Raya makes classy gesture towards Alisson Becker on the Anfield pitch before Liverpool against Arsenal

“46 seconds and Conor Bradley makes a crunching challenge. Now the Kop singing his name,” Steele said on X.

As well as a vote of confidence in the young full-back, the chants also felt like a pointed message towards the right-back sat on the bench.

Bradley with a sign of what’s to come

Having got himself into the game early doors, Bradley went from strength to strength against Arsenal.

The No. 84 was at the heart of everything good Liverpool did from an attacking point of view, leaving Gary Neville in awe of his speed at one point.

“That run from Conor Bradley, how quick is he when he opens up those legs,” Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports. “He’s a great runner.”

Bradley created a brilliant opening for Luis Diaz which the Colombian couldn’t quite convert and made a nuisance of himself throughout.

The Northern Ireland international could have perhaps done better to stop the cross for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal, but otherwise he was excellent. Hopefully a sign of things to come from Bradley.