Premier League: Bradley says first Liverpool goal is a 'dream'
The Northern Ireland international was Man of the Match in the 4-1 home win over Chelsea
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says it is a credit to their academy players that his side have emerged unscathed from a difficult January to lead the Premier League by five points.
Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley, a product of the Dungannon United Youth system, who moved to Anfield from Dungannon Swifts in 2019, starred in last night’s 4-1 home victory over Chelsea.
The 20-year-old produced his second Man of the Match performance in as many games, scoring his first goal for Klopp’s side and producing two assists, as Liverpool regained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The win was the Reds' sixth win in seven matches in January, with the other a draw in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Fulham having gone into the game with a lead from the home tie.
During that period the side have been without three senior full-backs, as well as the likes of midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister at varying times and Mohamed Salah.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold close to full match fitness after two substitute appearances, it has given Klopp a decision to make ahead of Sunday's trip to Arsenal.
"There is no situation. It is just how it is," said Klopp.
"We had seven games in January with 11 days off in between. We couldn't have put the string of results together without the kids, (Jarell) Quansah, Conor and we had midfielders out, so we played with James McConnell at six.
"These boys used this situation. I am happy they all could perform the way they did. The academy is doing an incredible job."
Goals from Diogo Jota, Bradley and Szoboszlai put the game beyond Chelsea inside 65 minutes, but it could have been a rout as Nunez hit the woodwork an incredible four times - once from the penalty spot.
Thankfully for Liverpool, his input wasn’t needed as there was another star performer in the form of academy graduate Bradley, deputising for Alexander-Arnold who was on the bench as he continued to make his comeback from injury, on only his second league start.
Bradley, man of the match against Norwich on Sunday, has been directly involved in six goals in his last four appearances and he deservedly departed to a standing ovation when Alexander-Arnold eventually took over.
Bradley grabbed his goal six minutes before the break. With the visitors pinned back in their own half, the youngster produced a devastating angled finish, having released down the right by Luis Diaz.
The 20-year-old allowed himself the luxury of celebrating a second time when VAR confirmed no foul in the build-up and, just when he thought his night could not get any better, the Kop sang his name for the first of numerous occasions.
Having already teed up Jota for the opener, Bradley then crossed for Szoboszlai to head home the third.
Bradley told TNT Sports: "It's a very proud moment. It's something I've dreamed of for a very long time.
"It's unbelievable. I just couldn't believe it went in. I didn't know what to do, so I just went over to the corner and did a knee slide.
"I've just got to try and take my chance. Over the last few games I think I've done pretty well, and I just want to keep up this form and keep working hard."
Christopher Nkunku pulled one back but there was still time for Nunez to power a header against the crossbar before Diaz slid in the fourth at the far post from Nunez's cross.
Victory was Klopp's 200th league victory in 318 matches, faster than any other Liverpool manager.