NewsTrent Alexander-Arnold explains pride in Conor Bradley and LFC Academy
Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed his pride in Conor Bradley’s recent Liverpool progress, praising the ongoing work of the club’s Academy.
Twenty-year-old full-back Bradley has been thrust into a more prominent role in Jürgen Klopp’s squad over the last month due to an injury to Alexander-Arnold.
Bradley made his first Premier League start at AFC Bournemouth - where he grabbed an assist in the 4-0 win - and helped the Reds reach the Carabao Cup final with a two-legged victory over Fulham.
The Northern Ireland international also netted his first senior Liverpool goal in a 4-1 defeat of Chelsea at Anfield during which he recorded a further two assists too.
Bradley’s performances earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award alongside teammate Diogo Jota.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Alexander-Arnold discussed how pleasing it has been to watch his younger colleague flourish, saying: “Massively so. He’s done a credit to himself and all the hard work he has put in.
“I think the way he’s stepped up and performed was incredible. We see it day in and day out in training how good he is and how good the rest of the young lads are. It’s a very, very good time for the Academy. It’s very good to see.”
Alexander-Arnold is, of course, one of those to benefit from the guidance of Liverpool’s Academy in recent years, after enjoying his own journey from youth-team player to vice-captain and trophy winner.
On whether he had seen similarities in both players’ rises through the ranks, he added: “Somewhat. I think it’s hard to even think and compare yourself because you never know how good you actually are and you kind of just want to keep playing.
“I never really thought about it back then. Still now you’re just focused on breaking into the team and performing and being a part of the first team. You’re so focused on that, you don’t have time to think about anything else.
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Watch on YouTube“I’m sure that’s what the young lads are doing right now. They’re just wanting to soak up as much information as possible and be as good as they can in and around the lads.
“It’s a credit to the work that they do at the Academy to prepare the lads to come up here and settle in straight away.”
Alexander-Arnold made his first start since recovering from a knee injury when the Reds were beaten 3-1 at Arsenal last weekend.
Liverpool’s attention has now turned to Burnley, who visit Anfield on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, and the No.66 is delighted to be among the squad again.
“It’s good to be back,” he continued. “It’s always a frustrating time when you’re out, [you’re] just so envious of not being able to play.
“It’s good to be back in and around the lads, being around it, travelling, it feels good to be back out there.”
