Reaction'One I've been waiting for' - Conor Bradley reacts to Premier League debut
Conor Bradley reflected with pride on a perfect Premier League debut after Liverpool beat AFC Bournemouth 4-0 at Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
Second-half braces from both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota secured victory on the south coast for Jürgen Klopp’s team, who moved five points clear at the top as a result.
For Bradley, meanwhile, it was the realisation of a childhood dream, the 20-year-old excelling on his first league appearance for the club and becoming the first Northern Irishman to represent the Reds in a league match since Sammy Smyth, all the way back in 1954.
Asked how long he had dreamed of the day, the Academy graduate told Sky Sports: “From about five years old! My Premier League debut is one I’ve been waiting for for a while, so to get that now, I’m really proud.”
He continued: “To be fair, it was a good team performance. It’s a difficult place to come, they’re in good form, so to get a 4-0 win, a clean sheet and three points, which was the main thing, we’re all very happy.”
Bradley glossed his landmark day with an assist, providing the pass from which Jota made it 3-0, 11 minutes from time.
And he might also have helped himself to a goal earlier in the game, sending a back-post header off target before seeing a powerful strike well saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
“The header, I don’t even know what happened!” he said. “I couldn’t believe I’d just had that chance, and I thought I was going to score, but obviously missed it.
“Then the second one was actually a good save, to be fair. I was gutted about that!”
Having spent last season on loan at League One club Bolton Wanderers, and then missed the start of this campaign through injury, Bradley has been given his chance with Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined.
But while he is understandably delighted to be able to contribute to Liverpool’s success, he is well aware how much more work is needed going forward if he is to establish himself as a regular fixture in the team.
“Trent is obviously unbelievable, he’s been in unbelievable form all season,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep trying to do my best for the team and see where it takes me.”
