Slot praises Bradley after Real Madrid win
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has commended Conor Bradley for his exceptional performance in their 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield. The Northern Ireland right-back faced tough opposition from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, effectively limiting their impact on the game.
Key defensive role against top attackers
Bradley, who replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, was entrusted with the challenging task of neutralizing two of La Liga’s most prolific players. Slot emphasized how crucial this was to Liverpool's success.
"I told them before the game, they have scored 26 goals in La Liga - 24 goal contributions from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius. So if you want to have any chance of winning this game, you need to control those two, and I think we did this outstanding," he said.
Bradley's standout display
Slot singled out Bradley for his impressive defensive work, especially against Vinicius, calling his performance "outstanding." His ability to keep the dangerous duo quiet was a key factor in the win.
Subplot: Trent Alexander-Arnold's return
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield for the first time since his transfer to Real Madrid. He came on as a second-half substitute and was met with boos from the home crowd, contrasting with Bradley's rising star status in Liverpool's defense.
Author’s summary: Conor Bradley’s exceptional defensive display against Mbappe and Vinicius helped Liverpool secure a vital 1-0 win over Real Madrid, earning praise from manager Arne Slot.