Liverpool have an 18-year-old ‘warrior’ in their ranks tipped for stardom

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool academy star Conor Bradley has been lauded by his Northern Ireland manager and a veteran teammate.

The 18-year-old right-back has come through the ranks at the Anfield outfit and is very highly rated by Reds coaches.

Bradley was part of pre-season training with Liverpool and played a number of summer friendlies.

Bradley has yet to make his senior Reds debut, but has already won three caps for Northern Ireland.

And Wednesday night’s appearance was arguably his most significant one as it came in a competitive game.

Bradley came off the bench with 22 minutes to go in the World Cup qualifying draw with Switzerland.

This made him the first Liverpool player to win a competitive NI cap since Elisha Scott 88 years ago.

Bradley did well and got a huge roar from the Windsor Park crowd when he chased down a lost cause and got a block in.

“I had no hesitation in throwing Conor on,” manager Ian Baraclough told the Belfast Telegraph. “He was ready and stood up to the task.

“Not just the crowd, (the tackle) got me, the staff and the players excited. they know they have a warrior with them.

“He’s got a baby face but he’s got talent – we’ll try and nurture that and make sure it’s right.

“He’ll have loved that tonight.”

And teammate Shane Ferguson waxed lyrical about the youngster after the Estonia friendly.

“He was brilliant when he came on,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

“Conor’s a quiet, down to earth lad and is living the dream.

“He has been superb since he came into the squad and the lads love him.

“You can see how good he is. The match on Sunday was just like another game for him.

“He has a really bright future.”