Conor Bradley has praised Jürgen Klopp after Liverpool's League Cup triumph, highlighting the manager's influence on the team's success. Virgil van Dijk's late header secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley, despite Liverpool fielding a depleted and inexperienced squad.
Bradley, who played on the wing, expressed admiration for Klopp's leadership and emphasized his desire to cherish every moment with the German manager. "He’s such a special manager to work under, and I just need to cherish every moment I have left with him because obviously he is going in the summer," the 20-year-old said after the win. "I just want to enjoy every moment with him now and then try to win everything we can for him."
Bradley also commended his fellow academy graduates at the club. Despite Chelsea's numerous chances and being favored to win, Liverpool secured the victory with a group of players from their academy, including Bradley, Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns, James McConnell, and Jarell Quansah. Bradley described the feeling as "special."
“I don’t think I can actually put it into words. It’s an incredible feeling, and obviously I’ve supported this club since I was about five years old, so to now win a trophy with them at Wembley, it’s special, and I’m just buzzing," he added.
"Thankfully, I wasn’t on at the end because I don’t know if I could have kept my composure! The boys did brilliantly, especially the young ones that came on; they showed a real heart, they always wanted the ball, and they always wanted to make something happen. So, full credit to the boys.”
27-year-old Ben Chilwell (Chelsea captain) picking a fight with 20-year-old Conor Bradley. Shameful pic.twitter.com/CCZwdVCN0r
— Farrell Keeling (@farrellkeeling) February 25, 2024
Liverpool faced the game with several injuries to key personnel, including Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Additionally, Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off, necessitating Klopp to field a young side with a youthful bench.
Bradley attributed the team's belief in overcoming the challenge of Chelsea to Klopp's intention to enjoy the spectacle. "Obviously, we were all looking forward to it. It’s a massive game for us, especially the young ones. But obviously it wasn’t easy with the amount of injuries we did have, but we’re just so thankful to get over the line and get the win, and get the win for the manager."
“I think it all comes from the gaffer, to be honest, the confidence that he puts in us youngsters. He just tells us to go out there and enjoy it, and that’s what we try to do, and we’re so happy to get the win today."
“It makes it much easier coming into the first team whenever the U21s and the U18s all play the same way, so you know what you are doing whenever you do get thrown in, and it obviously makes it a lot easier. The work that goes in at the academy is brilliant.”
