Conor Bradley threw Anfield into raptures on Wednesday night as he clattered into Kylian Mbappe with an incredible challenge.
Bradley started at right back in the heavyweight Champions League fixture, which saw Liverpool dominate the defending champions and win 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Reds’ typical right defender, was on the bench for the home side as he continues to recuperate from a hamstring injury that kept him out of England action and Sunday’s victory against Southampton.
But he stayed, which meant the 26-year-old did not get a chance to play against the team that is interested in signing him – and the team that many expect him to join next season as his contract expires.
Bradley, on the other hand, made up for it with an excellent defensive performance at Anfield, easily dealing with both Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
During the first half of the game, one specific incident stood out: the Northern Irishman stepped up to the former World Cup winner and won the ball brutally, but fairly, with a smashing challenge.
Conor Bradley threw Anfield into raptures as he clattered Kylian Mbappe during the first half.
The Liverpool defender got the best of the Real Madrid forward in the Champions League match.
Anfield gave a standing ovation to the Northern Irishman, who started as right back in the encounter.
Slot praised the youth academy after Bradley’s performance versus Madrid.
Mbappe had been handed the ball on the left and was leading a Madrid counter-attack, leaving Liverpool’s defence out of shape and players out of position.
Alexis MacAllister, who scored Liverpool’s first goal, found himself in a foot race with Mbappe, which he was almost guaranteed to lose as the forward looked to establish himself in the game after a slow start.
Bradley found himself covering centrally, with Andrew Robertson also returning, and Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch working hard to return as well.
And, possibly sensing that Mac Allister was losing the battle, Bradley dashed across the pitch and delivered a sliding challenge on Mbappe, who was sent flying into the penalty area.
The ball was won fairly, though, with replays revealing that the 21-year-old’s right foot certainly won it as Mbappe attempted to cut inside.
Bradley also jumped up to recover the ball and resume play, leaving Mbappe angry as he pursued him down in an attempt to reclaim it.
Those inside Anfield broke into a loud shout when they saw the teenager get the better of one of the finest players in the world, with Ally McCoist telling TNT Sports: ‘I believe the rest of Anfield, like myself, got a little bit of a fright when they saw Mbappe running away first.’
Fans also flocked to social media to applaud Bradley, who might see a lot more playing time next season if Alexander-Arnold leaves the club.
Alexander-Arnold (pictured), who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, was an unused replacement in the match.
Reds manager Arne Slot (left) provided an update on Bradley’s fitness after the game after he went out with an injury.
