Conor Bradley shows true colors with comment on Liverpool starting XI hopes

Conor Bradley has spoken out about his game time at Liverpool this season ahead of a potential first start of the campaign on Wednesday night.

The Reds host West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup with the competition offering Arne Slot his first chance at silverware. Liverpool have begun strongly in the Premier League, bouncing back from the shock defeat at home against Nottingham Forest by beating Bournemouth 3-0 last weekend.

But one Liverpool favorite who has found starts tough to come by is the young full-back. Bradley is yet to be named in a starting line-up by Slot, despite coming off the bench in four of the Reds' opening five league games.

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The 21-year-old burst onto the scene last season in place of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold with an assist on his top-flight debut, followed by a goal and two assists in the next league game against Chelsea. Bradley also played the full 90 minutes in both Carabao Cup semi-final games last season and started the final against the Blues.

Speaking to Liverpool’s club media before the game, Bradley admitted that despite not making a start yet this campaign, he remains patient on his game time, which may merit a first start in a competition he has fond memories of. “I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously I’ve got really good memories from last year, winning it at Wembley, so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“Obviously West Ham is going to be a tough game, but the boys are really up for it. I’ve not been able to start a game [yet this season], but I’m just waiting patiently for my chance and hopefully when it comes I’ll be able to take it and do the best I can.”

The test of West Ham in the cup provides the first real chance Slot has to rotate the pack in the Anfield hot seat. He’s already dropped hints on changes to his starting line-up with Federico Chiesa looking as though he will make his first start for the club having come off the bench against AC Milan and Bournemouth last week.

Slot may also run the changes at the back as well, with Bradley likely to get his first start, potentially seeing Alexander-Arnold drop out at right-back. Kostas Tsimikas was an unused substitute against the Cherries on Saturday and could come in at left-back for Andy Robertson.

Bradley featured 23 times last season in all competitions as he burdened the absence of Alexander-Arnold, who missed 16 games after suffering a knee injury. The England star has regained his place on the right-hand side of Liverpool’s backline but Bradley will likely have his first chance under Slot to put pressure on the 25-year-old’s position tonight.