Liverpool: Conor Bradley says EFL Cup victory with boyhood club an ‘incredible feeling’

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley says winning the Carabao Cup with his boyhood club is an “incredible feeling” following Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

“I don’t think I can actually put it into words,” Bradley told Sky Sports.

“It’s an incredible feeling. I’m just buzzing.”

He added: “I’ve supported this club since I was about five years old so to now win a trophy with them at Wembley, it’s special.

“It was a massive game for us, especially the young ones, but it wasn’t easy with the amount of injuries we did have.

“We’re just so thankful to get over the line and get the win for the manager.”

Since his full Premier League debut in a dominant 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in January, Bradley has been a familiar figure in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad.

The Northern Ireland international has contributed one goal and five assists in an impressive first season for the Premier League leaders.

Having earned a nomination for January’s Premier League player of the month award, the young full-back has flourished under manager Klopp.

“I think it all comes from the gaffer to be honest, the confidence he puts in us youngsters. He just tells us to go out there and enjoy it and that’s what we try and do,” Bradley said.

“He’s just such a special manager to work under and I just need to cherish every moment I do get left with him because he’s going in the summer.

“I just want to enjoy every moment with him now and try and win everything we can for him.

“We are so happy to get the win today. Thankfully I wasn’t on at the end because I don’t know if I could have kept my composure, but the boys have done brilliant, especially the young ones that came on.”

Learning from the best

With injuries to fellow right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, the Tyrone-born defender has enjoyed a spell on the big stage learning from the likes of Van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

The absence of Alexander-Arnold not only presents a defensive void to fill but a high level of attacking threat for which the Liverpool number 66 is famously known.

Bradley’s development has been met by high praise from senior team-mate Robertson who says it “will be fun” facing up against him on the international stage as Scotland face Northern Ireland on 26 March.

“It’ll be interesting to play up against him. [Bradley] is different class,” said the Liverpool left-back.

“I’ve spoken to him closely, obviously with him playing in a similar position to me and things like that, I feel as if I can kind of help him with my experience, but yes he’s been sensational.

“He doesn’t need my help but you know you’ve just got to keep pushing him because he’s shown every quality that he’s got, he knows he can play this level but now it’s about consistency.

“He can go to the very top, that’s the facts, of course he needs a little bit of luck and he needs to keep on having the attitude that he’s got now because it’s second to none.

“He’s an incredible talent and he’s just got to keep doing what he’s doing and get the consistency.”