InterviewConor Bradley on Chelsea memories, career influences and inspiring young people

With good reason, too.

Bradley’s football CV had been building up nicely by January 2024, with an eye-catching rise through the Reds’ Academy, a hugely successful loan season with Bolton Wanderers and senior experience for Northern Ireland each enhancing his credentials package.

And at the time of the Blues’ visit to Anfield on the final day of the year’s first month, the right-back had already made 13 appearances for Liverpool.

But this Premier League meeting was to be his coming-of-age occasion.

A pair of assists sandwiched his first ever goal for the club – confidently fired across the goalkeeper from the edge of the box as he burst forward from deep – in a handsome 4-1 win for the home side.

Little wonder Bradley did not get much shuteye afterwards.

“I think I might have had three or four hours’ sleep that night after,” the No.84 tells Liverpoolfc.com ahead of the latest clash between the clubs, in L4 on Sunday.

“I just had so much goosebumps and stuff like that from what had just happened. It was such a surreal experience. But then I knew I had to go again in a couple of days for the next game.

“It was just one of those nights that everything sort of goes your way. With the goal and the two assists, it was just a perfect night. I couldn’t have dreamed of it going any better, to be honest. It was a really proud night for me and my family.”

Within a month, Bradley and his Reds teammates were lining up against Chelsea and seeking to make their people proud again.

This time, the venue was Wembley. This time, the target was the Carabao Cup trophy.

Bradley was named in Jürgen Klopp’s starting XI and went on to play 72 of the 120 minutes needed to settle a final that was decided by Virgil van Dijk’s late headed goal.

A League Cup winner’s medal could now be slotted in to his achievements list.

“The whole month was mental,” he recalls. “Obviously Trent [Alexander-Arnold] picked up an injury and I sort of had to just play every game and make sure I was recovering well and being ready for every game. Thankfully I played well in those games as well.

“I just tried to keep my feet on the floor as well, just try to not let anything get to me. It’s always the same, it doesn’t matter if I’m a couple of leagues down or playing in the Premier League with one of the biggest clubs in the world, I just try to play the same way I’ve always played, and I think that works for me and it’s been working so far.

“I was on the pitch for the first goal he [Van Dijk] scored and then it got cancelled, so I got a little bit of a celebration at Wembley. The reaction for the second goal… obviously I was on the bench, I think I just went mental, we all just ran out and gave the gaffer a big hug.

“Everyone was just hugging each other, it was wild but it was a special feeling winning my first trophy for the football club, something that will live with me forever.”

For this weekend’s game versus Chelsea, the Reds’ front-of-shirt logo will be swapped to a ‘Futuremakers by Standard Chartered’ design.

The global initiative of the main club partner, ‘Futuremakers’ aims to empower underserved young people around the world and teach them skills to improve their chances of getting a job or starting their own business.

Jerseys from the match on Sunday will be signed and then put up for auction at CharityStars.com/SCFM, with all proceeds going to recipients of ‘Futuremakers by Standard Chartered’.

Looking back on his own journey, Bradley – who joined the Reds shortly after his 16th birthday in 2019 – is acutely aware of the support he has received from many to help his ambitions become reality.

“Obviously some of the coaches I have had at the Academy [were key influences],” he says. “People like Bridgey [Marc Bridge-Wilkinson], who was massive for me. Barry Lewtas was another great coach for me.

“They were the ones who sort of moved me into right-back, which has worked quite well. They are probably the biggest factors in my journey. Obviously there were a lot of ups and downs in the journey but I’m grateful to be where I am now.

“It was difficult moving over from Northen Ireland to a different country, different people, different ways of speaking; the Scouse language isn’t easy to pick up on!

“But they were just brilliant with everything, made sure I had good house parents and things like that. On the pitch as well they were just brilliant with me, always tried to make me better every day. I’m just really grateful for how much they have helped.

“I probably wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

Such has been his own development during the past five years, Bradley is now held up as a role model for other aspiring youngsters, particularly in his home country.

Indeed, just last Saturday he was selected to captain the senior Northern Ireland national team on the occasion of his 20th cap.

And while it understandably feels slightly ‘strange’ for someone still just 21 himself to be an inspirational figure, it’s a status and responsibility he understands the importance of.

“It’s strange that people sort of look up to me now, it’s mad how quickly life sort of changes,” he states. “I’m just grateful to be where I am.

“Obviously I have worked really hard to get where I am, so hopefully that inspires especially young people in Northern Ireland, and Liverpool as well, that if they work hard too, their dreams can come true.

“For other young people, I hope they can use my journey – obviously everyone’s journey is different but just use what they can from it and know that if you work hard you will get a chance.

“It’s all about, whenever you get that chance you’ve just got to be ready to take it and make sure you’re in the best way to take it. Hopefully it inspires young people around the world.”

• Visit CharityStars.com/SCFM to bid on match-worn shirts from Sunday's game, in support of 'Futuremakers by Standard Chartered'