Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Anfield this summer and, as a result, Conor Bradley is now in the Anfield spotlight.
For years, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a fixture in Liverpool’s starting XI, while Conor Bradley has been a superb understudy.
However, Alexander-Arnold will be leaving Anfield in the wake of his contract expiring, with Real Madrid said to be his next destination.
Bradley will likely take Alexander-Arnold’s place in Liverpool’s starting line-up and manager Arne Slot spoke about him ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal.
Slot revealed what Bradley recently said to him that left the Reds boss “very surprised” in the context of the 21-year-old’s development.
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Arne Slot says Conor Bradley had never been to Stamford Bridge prior to May visit
Slot made it clear that he didn’t appreciate any comparisons between Bradley and Alexander-Arnold, stressing that Bradley is a “very different” kind of player.
“Yeah, let’s not compare him with Trent,” Slot told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
“Now already they are also two different types, in my opinion. With Conor, I think we all see the potential.”
Slot revealed how he was surprised by Bradley commenting about Stamford Bridge during last week’s trip to Chelsea, as it showed he had never been there.
“Last week I walked onto the pitch together with him and I looked around because for me it was the first time,” said Slot.
“And I was very surprised to hear from him that he had a comment about the stadium as well. I looked at him like, ‘Didn’t you know yet?’ And he said, ‘No, it’s the first time that I’m here as well.’
“That was a bit of a surprise to me because, for me, he’s already further in his development than being for the first time in an away game like Chelsea.”
How Arne Slot plans to turn Conor Bradley into a regular starter
Slot described Bradley as a “very talented player” but noted how he hasn’t been fit throughout the whole season.
“To become a very good player you have to be available every single week as well, and that’s the first step he has to make for next season,” said Slot.
“But we have a lot of confidence in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool, and that’s already what he’s shown, I think, in the past two seasons.”
Slot then confirmed that Bradley would be starting for Liverpool in Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal at Anfield.
“Conor will start,” said Slot. “He needs playing time, games under his belt to be prepared for next season.”
