The Liverpool coach puts his confidence in Bradley's all-action style and believes that the key to the success of the Northern Irish is the successor of Alexander-Arnold to stay out of the injury
If Conor Bradley wants to know how high he is judged by Arne Slot, he must listen to the Liverpool manager who calls him in the same breath as, demonstrably, the world's best right back. And no, we are not talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With the English defender on his way to Real Madrid, Sunday's game against Arsenal in Anfield could be the official start of the Bradley era in the lock behind Mohamed Salah. And among the many things that Bradley will bring, says Slot, is a remarkable tirelessness that reminds him of a modern large that has tormented English clubs in the Champions League this season.
“Conor has such an intense playing style,” says Slot. “They all walk a lot, but Conor is in his own competition when it comes to a lot of running. He may be similar to Achraf Hakimi at PSG – he is everywhere during the game. But Hakimi is 26 I think and he is much more used to doing this every week.
“He needs time, conor and a good program to keep him fit. Those who are not ordinary starters, it's more difficult to keep them fit than those who are. If Conor will be the regular starter next season, that may also help him.”
And it is clear that the only small doubt of lock is whether Bradley can remain as injury-free as so many Liverpool players can do in this title-winning season. Bradley, 21, has already fallen, hamstring, ankle and muscle problems in his relatively short career.
Slot explains: “To become a very good player, you have to be available every week and that is the first step he has to take next season. But we have faith in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool.”
Bradley will start against Arsenal, which means that the first sign of what kind of reception is waiting for Alexander-Arnold when he warms up during the game. But predictably, Slot hopes that supporters will not send too much emotional energy.
Slot says: “Players want to be here and we can concentrate on those who leave or the two or two who have left earlier or we can concentrate on how special it is that Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk have expanded their contracts here again and want to be longer. Trent is not the first and will not be the last to leave a special club.
“Players from City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool sometimes go somewhere else. What is important to me is that it was very difficult for him to leave this club. We as a club did everything to keep him here and then we have to accept his decision.”
And lock admits that he comes where Alexander-Arnold comes from when the English defender speaks about testing himself in a different environment. The Liverpool coach says: “As a person you might understand that he wants a new challenge, because if he is in the same competition for so many years, some players want to experience something else.
“(But) Mo and Virgil play here for as long or maybe even longer and they want to expand. So it's up to every individual himself.”
Although a healthy rivalry between the two teams has been redeveloped, Slot is not sure how intense this last game will be and says: “It is hard to predict whether it will be Edgy. Maybe there is a bit at stake for Arsenal … they will be eligible for the Champions League, but I will prefer second than three or four.
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