Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley is certainly making an impression in pre-season on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
The Northern Ireland international has already scored and picked up several assists in a new wing-back role, with manager Ian Evatt looking to push for promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship this season.
Bolton vice-captain Gethin Jones has also taken Bradley under his wing to help mentor the youngster as he adapts to regular first-team football. And the 26-year-old is excited to see what he now has in store.
The Welshman, who is also eligible to play for Australia , spoke about his anticipation of what Bradley can provide.
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“I do talk to him quite a bit and I’m excited to see how he gets on this season,” Jones said.
“Me and Con have started to get a good relationship, and I have played every game with him so far.
“Obviously, he has been around the first-team at Liverpool, and so it’s perfect for him to come here, knowing the way we want to play."
"Even though he has played games for Liverpool and played international football he is still young, so he is still learning."
“The gaffer keeps telling me to put my experience to him, defensively."
"We play a 3-5-2, so there might be a little tweak to the way he will have played at Liverpool, especially defensively, but I think he is doing really well.”
Bradley is in a rare position of featuring more times for his country than he ever has at club level, featuring eight times for Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland since his debut in May 2021.
For Jurgen Klopp’s side, Bradley impressed on several occasions in the cup competitions - especially in the FA Cup Third Round against Shrewsbury, where he assisted fellow youngster Kaide Gordon.
He also came on as a substitute in the Reds’ 2-1 victory over AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
It will certainly be an exciting campaign for the 19-year-old, and he will potentially look at challenging Calvin Ramsay for the backup right-back spot next year.
Topics: Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers
Chris Stonadge