InterviewHow Conor Bradley returned for pre-season 'bigger, stronger, fitter'

Liverpool's Northern Irishman is already feeling the benefits of his summer graft, which has led to some noticeable physical development.

Speaking after a training session in the morning heat of Philadelphia on Sunday, the 21-year-old explained how he wanted to build on his eye-catching contribution last season.

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Bradley told Liverpoolfc.com: "I think naturally you get bigger as you get older but I try to work on it as well.

"In the off-season, I was in the gym just doing as much as I could while always recovering as well. I feel bigger, I feel stronger, I feel fitter.

"For me this pre-season, I just want to stay injury-free. I just want to make sure I'm as fit as I can [be] going into the season and make sure I've got no injuries, because obviously last year I think I only got two weeks of pre-season and obviously got the injury.

"My main focus is to just stay injury-free, get myself fit and get myself ready for the season."

Bradley's understanding of football is also developing by being fed new tactical information from head coach Arne Slot.

Subtle tweaks to the Reds' playing style and insightful meetings with the coaching staff have been well-received by the full-back and his teammates.

"It's been difficult [in] the first few weeks – obviously it's new ideas, new [head coach] – but I've also really enjoyed it," Bradley said. "It's just learning new ways and I feel like it's improved me as a player as well.

"Obviously it's going to take a couple weeks for us to get it nailed down but I feel like we're progressing well. We just need to keep working hard in training and I'm sure it will all come off on the pitch.

"Especially in the first 10 days at the AXA [Training Centre], I think we probably had a meeting or two every day – which I think is important as well because we need to understand what the gaffer wants.

"It's been really good and I've been really impressed with how it's been so far."

Liverpool made the most of their first chance to showcase Slot's approach in front of supporters when they defeated Real Betis 1-0 in Pittsburgh.

Their next opportunity arrives on Wednesday against Premier League opposition in the form of Arsenal at Lincoln Financial Field.

On the difference in tactics, Bradley stated: "Just probably a bit more structure in the build-up phase.

"Obviously out of the ball it's quite similar – we still want to press when we lose the ball, we still want it back as quick as we can.

"There's not massive changes but there's just little tweaks in there that will hopefully make us better. It's been really good."

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