Bradley tries to give Liverpool an advantage by looking for clues at City during the break
CONOR BRADLEY admits the past three months have been ‘mental’ as he reflects on an incredible rise at Liverpool.
And the 20-year-old will be hoping to make another dream come true this week by scoring his first goal for Northern Ireland.
Bradley flew to Romania with the squad last night, still buzzing from his breakthrough performance at Anfield, which included a first major trophy with this season’s Carabao Cup.
The rookie, who is currently learning from world-class right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, said: “It was mental. I remember sitting on the bench at Arsenal and wanting to progress.
“They moved Trent to midfield and I came on as right back.
“I took on Gabriel Martinelli and it was a big test, but I did well and it just started to go from there.
“It was brilliant. My dreams have come true over the past four months.
“I now want to continue and keep this momentum going. I’ve been supporting Liverpool since I was a boy, so getting a trial with them was just crazy when I was 16.
“I would love to score my first goal for Northern Ireland, that would be a dream too. But quite a few of my big dreams have come true.
“Scoring for Liverpool, getting my first assist and performing at Wembley were also brilliant.”
BEST SIGN UP OFFERS FOR FREE BETTS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
Not only that, Bradley scored in the 4-1 Premier League win against Chelsea and had two assists.
He has quickly established himself in the first team and in the hearts of the fans. And the boy from County Tyrone will be sure to add to his 13 caps in the two friendlies – in Bucharest tomorrow and against Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
He said: “I definitely didn’t think it would go so well.
“My ‘pinch myself’ moment was probably against Chelsea when I scored and got two assists and the fans were chanting my name.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ll have a better night than this. But all the boys still treat me the same, they still call me names!
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been away with Northern Ireland, against Denmark in June. I missed them and I’m looking forward to being back.”
Northern Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024 this summer but Bradley is enjoying working behind enemy lines with boss Michael O’Neill.
Norn Iron was at the Etihad Campus, the training base of Liverpool’s title rivals Manchester City, this week. Bradley joked: “I’ve been trying to see if there are any tactics around. It’s strange being there as a Liverpool player, but the facilities are great.
“The future is bright, I’m really looking forward to the Premier League run-up. Hopefully I will have a medal at the end of the season.”
But Bradley will miss Reds boss Jurgen Klopp when the manager leaves at the end of the season.
He added: “He helped me a lot. He gave me my chance, so I will be forever grateful.
“When I found out he was leaving I was shocked and sad as he is the only Liverpool manager I have known.”