Conor Bradley shines as Liverpool outmuscle Real Madrid on Alexander-Arnold’s return

Conor Bradley Drives Liverpool to Victory Over Real Madrid

Northern Ireland Defender Impresses at Anfield

Conor Bradley’s composure and relentless energy embodied Liverpool’s rejuvenated spirit during a soaking night at Anfield. As the crowd anticipated late Real Madrid pressure, the match narrative, which had often seemed more theatrical than tense, was on the verge of becoming truly significant.

Key Moments

Trent Alexander-Arnold returned, preparing to deliver one of his trademark crosses, hoping to salvage a point in a match where Liverpool hadn't truly looked deserving.
Real Madrid's attack failed to provide Alexander-Arnold with a viable target, while his cross found no one as Vinícius Júnior chased halfheartedly.
On his previous defensive action, Conor Bradley executed a clean, assertive challenge on Vinícius near the byline and maintained his determination to secure Liverpool’s lead until the end.
Bradley confidently ushered the ball out as his opponent lunged in vain, capping a display that made any subplots irrelevant and earning special recognition for his performance.

Notable Achievements

Bradley established himself strongly in Liverpool’s right-back role, likely relishing the challenge of facing top opposition regularly.
Nearly a year prior, Bradley had neutralized Kylian Mbappé during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid, and this time he effectively contained Vinícius, who hadn’t played in that earlier encounter.

Quote

"What a triumph this was for Bradley, who must fancy being wheeled out against La Liga’s leaders every week."

Author’s Summary

Conor Bradley’s determination and defensive skill helped Liverpool overpower Real Madrid at Anfield, underscoring his rising importance to the squad and their revived competitive edge.

The Irish Times — 2025-11-05