Conor Bradley shuts down Liverpool theory as he discusses role under Arne Slot

Conor Bradley is Northern Ireland's top scorer over the last 18 months and he is their star man because of his stellar year with Liverpool

Conor Bradley has shrugged off his extra responsibility with Northern Ireland, insisting he plays a similar role for Liverpool.

Irish boss Michael O’Neill has pushed Bradley forward to score and make goals, claiming he is more than a right-back for them. O’Neill wants to utilise him to the maximum and he has three goals in his last five internationals going into Saturday’s behind-closed-doors Nations League clash with Belarus in Zalaegerszeg in Hungary.

Bradley, 21, is relaxed about this increased pressure on him as Northern Ireland’s only Premier League player and says he also likes to attack at Liverpool. “It’s different, but it’s similar as well,” he said.

“When I play for Liverpool, I’m almost playing as a right winger sometimes because we usually have most of the possession in games so I’m quite high up, trying to create chances for the strikers. It’s quite similar when I play with Northern Ireland if I’m playing right wing, I’m higher up. But anywhere the manager asks me to play, I’m going to play and give my all.

“I’ve really enjoyed learning to play right wing and if the manager wants me to play right-wing back on Saturday, I’ll do a job for him there as well.” Bradley has made six appearances for Liverpool as the Reds have won nine of their first 10 games under Arne Slot and he knows they will face tougher games after the international break.

“It’s been a really good start under the new manager,” he said. “We’ve been playing some really good football. We just have to keep it going.

“We have some tough fixtures coming up and we’re looking forward to them.” Bradley is Northern Ireland’s top scorer over the last 18 months with his three goals and says he does not feel the added pressure of being the star man in O’Neill’s young side.

“Every footballer enjoys scoring goals,” he said. “It probably adds a little bit of pressure, but I just try and do the same thing I would do at Liverpool and help the team in any way possible.

“Even if I haven’t scored or assisted and we win 2-0, I’ll have the same happiness.” Bradley’s natural athleticism is one of his biggest attributes and he admits O’Neill has told him not to run as much.

“Yeah, especially the last two games I played for Northern Ireland,” he said. “Me and Michael spoke about it with the amount of running and things like that. Sometimes I probably don’t need to do as much as what I’m doing. There are some bits of my game we’re trying to tweak.

“I’m not the complete player yet or anything like that and I work hard every day.” Bradley is bullish about Northern Ireland’s chances of finishing top of Group C3, despite losing their last game in Bulgaria.

“Definitely,” he said. “I don’t see why not. Obviously we had a little blip on the road in Bulgaria, but there are four games to go and if we can put in some good performances and get the results we want, I’m pretty sure we can still finish top of the group.”

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