Former Liverpool star Stephen Warnock has told Conor Bradley that he needs to hit the gym over the summer if he is to realistically be a ready-made replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Northern Irish defender has been backed by figures including Jamie Carragher as the outbound star’s natural successor following his strong performances over the past couple of campaigns. As Alexander-Arnold prepares to depart Anfield at the end of his contract in the coming months, it remains to be seen whether Arne Slot will back Bradley to replace him.
The omens are good for the youngster, who has caught the eye this term during his outings at right-back this term – tallying up 26 appearances in all competitions. Perhaps the pick of these showings came in the form of a Man of the Match display in a Champions League victory over Real Madrid in November.
The 21-year-old was tasked with defending against World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, with his crunching tackle on the Frenchman during a tempestuous clash earning him plaudits on the Kop. Following what has been a steady rise, the next step for the highly-rated starlet – who featured from the bench against Chelsea – will be to nail down a starting berth.
Now, ex-Reds full-back Warnock has explained what he feels Bradley needs to do over the summer months in order to make himself an indispensable first-team regular. Speaking to Egypt Betting Sites, the former England international revealed that he feels the starlet has the right attributes to succeed Alexander-Arnold as the club’s first choice right back.
However, the one-time Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers ace is of the belief that the club’s No. 84 needs to work his conditioning after missing parts of the season through injury. He contended: “What you’ve seen with Conor Bradley is that the potential is there.
“He’s got that quality when he gets on the ball, when he plays. The only thing that has probably gone against him at the moment is just the injuries that he’s picked up.
“The more consistently you play, the more minutes you get, the less you get injured because your body becomes more robust, it becomes stronger. He is probably going through that growing stage as well, his body is maturing, filling out, and a little bit more likely to pick up injuries.”
Imploring Bradley to focus on strengthening himself in the gym ahead of next season, he continued: “I think the biggest thing I’d say to him is make sure you get in that gym in the summer and make sure that you strengthen yourself, get stronger.
“You look at the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale when they go to Real Madrid, they almost turn into monsters, don’t they? In the way that they hit the gym and suddenly, they’re physically more strong and better specimens, if you like.”
(Image: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
For Warnock, the player’s fitness will be key to him making his case to Slot during pre-season for a regular spot in the first XI. He added: “So I think he’s got to look at that side of his game and think, if I want to be a number one regular for Liverpool, I’ve got to make myself ready week in, week out.
“I go back to that word again, robust. You look at the best players in the world, the likes of Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Mohamed Salah – they are always available for selection.
“And that’s not down to pure luck or coincidence. That’s down to the hard work behind the scenes that goes on. I think he’ll have to learn that side of the game.”
