Conor Bradley’s Outstanding Performance Boosts Jurgen Klopp’s Consideration to Transition Trent Alexander-Arnold into Midfield

Debates over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position in this Liverpool team will rumble on, but right now, it’s difficult to make a case for the England international not to be moved into midfield given the form Conor Bradley has shown while covering at right-back.

The 20-year-old has impressed plenty in recent weeks, but against Chelsea on Wednesday, he was superb, as he netted his first Reds goal and assisted two more in the Premier League leaders’ 4-1 win over the Blues on Merseyside.

After Darwin Nunez went close on a couple of occasions, Liverpool broke the deadlock through Diogo Jota, who ran onto Bradley’s pass and bustled his way through two Chelsea defenders to poke home. Bradley then doubled the lead with a superb angled drive after being freed down the right.

Nunez missed the chance to make it 3-0 before half-time when he hit the post with a penalty, but the Reds soon put that behind them after the break as Dominik Szoboszlai headed in a sumptuous Bradley cross.

Chelsea threatened a comeback when Christopher Nkunku netted with 20 minutes to play, but after Nunez again hit the woodwork with a header, Luis Diaz settled things with a close-range finish to ensure the Reds’ first Premier League game since Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to leave the club ended in victory.

Goalkeeper and Defense

Alisson Becker (6/10):

I was a spectator for much of the evening. It was rarely tested and had no chance with Nkunku’s strike.

Conor Bradley (10/10):

Sensational performance. Excellent pressing and fine run to set up the first, before his unerring finish made it 2-0. A superb cross found Szoboszlai for the third as he worked tirelessly up and down the right flank. A star in the making.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Another strong performance from the French international. Showed good composure in possession and read the game well to snuff out danger.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

Slightly fortunate not to give away an early penalty for a trip on Gallagher, but a strong presence thereafter. A fine crossfield pass helped create Liverpool’s third.

Joe Gomez (8/10):

Continues to impress as a makeshift left-back. Some of his passing was outrageous, and he totally locked down Madueke in the first half.

 

Midfield

Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):

He showed some nice touches on his return to the Premier League line-up and capped his showing with a fine header for the third goal.

Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):

Dominated the midfield up against Caicedo and Fernandez. I broke up the play masterfully and picked up some excellent passes.

Curtis Jones (7/10):

Another bright display from the England hopeful. He carried the ball forward well and was denied a goal by a fine Petrovic save.

Attack

Diogo Jota (8/10):

Broke the deadlock with a bustling run and finish, and then won the penalty. He is a constant nuisance as he continues to fill the Salah void on the right.

Darwin Nunez (7/10):

He hit the woodwork a record-breaking four times and really should have scored at least twice, with his penalty miss a real lowlight. He showed off his all-round abilities with a fine run and cross for Diaz’s goal.

Luis Diaz (7/10):

I made a couple of poor decisions when well placed early on, but I grew into the game. He settled things with his close-range finish for the fourth.

Subs & Manager

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

He shook off the cobwebs with a couple of raking passes after replacing Bradley.

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

I came close with a long-range effort after spelling Jota.

Harvey Elliott (6/10):

Showed good energy in midfield and tested Petrovic from a distance.

Andrew Robertson (6/10):

He looked eager to make an impact on his return to Premier League action.

Bobby Clark (N/A):

Replaced Jones for the final 10 minutes.

Jurgen Klopp (8/10):

He opted against throwing Alexander-Arnold and Robertson back into the lineup and was rewarded by Bradley in particular. A fitting farewell remains on the cards.