Q&AConor Bradley interview: Carabao Cup aims, playing targets and learning from Arne Slot
The right-back has made four substitute appearances for the Reds so far in 2024-25 and is eager to be named in Arne Slot’s starting XI when the Hammers visit Anfield in round three of the competition on Wednesday night.
The meeting with Julen Lopetegui’s team marks the start of Liverpool’s defence of the trophy they claimed by beating Chelsea in incredible circumstances in last season’s final.
And Bradley, who was part of the side at Wembley, told Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously I’ve got really good memories from last year, winning it at Wembley, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“Obviously West Ham is going to be a tough game, but the boys are really up for it.
“I’ve not been able to start a game [yet this season], but I’m just waiting patiently for my chance and hopefully when it comes I’ll be able to take it and do the best I can.”
We sat down with Bradley at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon – read the rest of our pre-match interview below.
Last season’s final was an unforgettable experience for everyone connected with the club – how do you look back on it from a personal point of view?
It’s special. Obviously winning my first trophy for the football club, just the whole day itself: the setbacks we had during the game, the Academy players coming on and helping us win it. It was a special day and it’s one I’ll never forget, definitely.
You started that final and played in the quarters and semis, too. It’s also the tournament you made your senior debut in back in 2021, so it’s been a really important competition for your development…
Yeah, definitely, it’s been massive. As you said, I had my debut in it a couple of years ago and obviously last year I had quite a few games in it as well, so it’s always good for me. It gives me a chance to try to show how good I am and obviously try to play well and get some rhythm. So, I always really look forward to the games and hopefully this year it will be the same.
How have you found working under Arne Slot and his coaching staff so far?
It’s been really good. I think they’ve improved me a lot, obviously we do lots of individual meetings and things like that so it’s been really good. I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been a good start to the season but there is still loads to improve on for, I think, the whole team. So, we’ve just got to keep going and keep improving.
What kind of things have you worked on?
Loads of different things. Obviously the runs I make into the final third from right-back, things like my defending and stuff like that as well, so just every part of my game [and] trying to make me overall a better player. So, I’ve really enjoyed working under him and it’s been a really good start.
It sounds like you’re learning plenty and really enjoying it too…
Definitely, definitely. As I said, it’s been a really good start, picking up lots of new things and obviously getting the way he wants us to play, which is the most important thing. So, I’ve really enjoyed it.
Has it been refreshing too, to have a different voice to listen to and learn from? What insight can you give us into what Slot asks of his full-backs?
Yeah, it is really refreshing, hearing a new voice and new tactics and yeah, he does ask a lot of the full-backs. Obviously at different times he wants us high and inside, or high and wide, or else dropping down into a four to help with build-up. So, he does ask a lot but it’s just going to be about learning [and] making sure we do what he wants us to do. I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been really good just to learn the different ways he wants us to play and it’s definitely making me a better player.
Finally, Wednesday’s match is a home cup tie, under the lights at Anfield – it’s a game for you and everyone to look forward to...
Yeah, definitely, and I always love playing at Anfield under the lights. It’s always been a special occasion so really looking forward to it and hopefully I get to start tomorrow and we can get a win.