Klopp: Con a credit to Academy

LIGHTING UP THE KOP Castlederg’s Conor Bradley

CONOR BRADLEY has grafted for two-and-a-half years to be an overnight success with Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp says he knew when Bradley first trained with them that he would be a star for the Reds.

After making his debut in September 2021 and excelling last season on loan at Bolton, the rightback has grabbed the chance presented to him by Trent Alexanderarnold’s injury.

The 20-year-old has five assists and one goal in his last four appearances and is the first Northern

Ireland player since

Sammy Smyth in 1954 to score for Liverpool.

Klopp claims his No.2 Pep Lijnders and elite development coach Vitor Matos were always on at him about Bradley’s progress.

“I’ve known it for a while because in my left ear was Pep and in my right was Vitor and they were telling me,” said the Reds boss.

“Perhaps it’s in my personality because I put both hands in the fire. I loved him from the first days and I didn’t need a lot of convincing.

“The thing is that Conor showed up extremely good in the pre-season, he did well at Bolton, and he came back and looked top in pre-season.

“Then, wow! He’s out for four or five months. But thank God, time can sort it and in that age group, it gets better.

“Now since he’s been back, it’s a joy to watch him and it’s all credit to the academy.”

Liverpool vice-captain Alexander-arnold, who is having his best season for the club, had to be content with a cameo off the bench against Chelsea because of Bradley’s red-hot form.

Klopp said: “We had seven games in January with 11 days off in between. I don’t know how we fitted them all in. And we couldn’t have put together the string of results we’ve had without the kids.”