InterviewWhy this pre-season is the 'biggest' of Conor Bradley's career so far

The Northern Ireland international is part of Liverpool's 32-man squad in Germany for a pre-season training camp that also involves a pair of fixtures against Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth.

Bradley has returned to the Reds' set-up with a season's worth of senior experience under his belt, amassed during a fruitful spell in League One with Ian Evatt's Wanderers.

Speaking on Saturday after the team's first session in Baden-Württemberg, the full-back told Liverpoolfc.com: "Definitely the biggest [pre-season] of my career so far.

"Obviously I think every pre-season is going to be the biggest for me but I'm looking forward to this one and seeing how I get on.

"It just feels different to the last time I've been on pre-season. I'm fighting for a spot now, I want a spot in this squad. I'm looking to work hard and fight for that spot.

"I'd say I'm a far better player than last time I was here. I'm really looking forward to the pre-season and trying to show what I've got.

"It's been mad the last couple of years but I just want to keep working, keep going and see where it takes me."

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Bradley made more than 50 appearances for Bolton, scoring seven times, and lifted the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley, before narrowly missing out on promotion following defeat in a play-off semi-final.

The 20-year-old also enjoyed individual success by taking home three prizes at Bolton's end-of-season awards night – Supporters' Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year – to cap a campaign of growth for the Academy graduate.

"I couldn't have dreamed of the loan going that well," he reflected. "It was an incredible season and a big thank you to Bolton. I had a terrific time there and loved every minute of it.

"I think that was the main thing I wanted whenever I went on loan – I just wanted to play as many games as I could, and I did that.

"I nearly played every game that I could and stayed injury-free. I'll be looking to do something similar this year.

"I felt more comfortable with every game. In the first couple I was quite nervous, obviously it's different to youth football – playing men's football every week.

"I just grew in confidence every game and felt like I kept getting better and better and better. Hopefully I can build on that now in this pre-season."