Conor Bradley impressed for Liverpool against Chelsea on Wednesday. (Image: Getty)
Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley is mourning the death of his father, Joe Bradley. The 58-year-old sadly passed away on Saturday morning after a battle with illness. The news was confirmed today (Saturday), only three days after the 20-year-old delivered a dazzling display in his side's 4-1 win over Chelsea.
The Northern Ireland international scored his first Premier League goal against the Blues, searing down the right and delivering a superb finish into the bottom corner. He'd previously had a hand in Diogo Jota making it 1-0, and his cross led to Dominik Szoboszlai heading home late on.
Originally from Aghyaran in west Tyrone, Bradley became the first player born in his homeland to score for the Reds in more than 70 years. And his man-of-the-match display is perceived to have caused a major selection dilemma for Jurgen Klopp, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to return imminently after injury.
Since the news, emssages have flooded in from Liverpool fans. @LFCLaurie wrote on social media: "I’m genuinely in shock at the Conor Bradley news. To go from the highest point in your life to one of the worst in just a few days. Life is far too cruel. Just heartbreaking. Thoughts are with him and his family."
Conor Bradley celebrates his goal against Chelsea. (Image: Getty)
@AnfieldEdition added: "At least Conor Bradley’s dad got to see him on the main stage, scoring at Anfield in a Premier League game. He saw you achieve your dreams, Conor."
@LFCApproved echoed similar sentiments, saying: "Thoughts go out to Conor Bradley & his family. Your father is definitely proud of what you are achieving, and always remember You’ll Never Walk Alone."
Bradley joined Liverpool in 2019, and made five club appearances for being loaned out to Bolton last season. There, he excelled in League One, helping the club to the play-offs where they failed to win promotion.
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But he's proved a revelation with the Reds in the past month after replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. And after the win over Chelsea, manager Klopp said: "I have loved him from the first days and didn't need a lot of convincing.
"The thing is Conor showed up extremely well in pre-season, did extremely well at Bolton. He comes back, looks top and does well in pre-season, wow and is out for four months with the back, it is the kind of issue that only young people have."
