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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp raved over stand-in defender Conor Bradley and his performance in the Reds' Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Fulham. The 20-year-old deputised for Trent Alexander-Arnold and put in a stellar showing, with the German coach perhaps hinting that no defensive signing is necessary in the January transfer window.
Liverpool had been linked with several defenders following injuries to Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip, including Fulham's Antonee Robinson. However, Bradley's performance may have convinced Klopp and the club's hierarchy that no spending is needed and those funds can be reallocated elsewhere.
The young defender had been out of action with a stress fracture that kept him sidelined for five months after a positive loan at Bolton last season, but has returned at the perfect time to cover for Liverpool's injured quartet.
"He will (sleep well tonight)," Klopp told Sky Sports. "I'm not sure if Conor Bradley makes it home. He might fall asleep in the dressing room, exceptional. What a boy, a fantastic character, with intelligence, top potential.
"And he's in the right team because everybody loves him, everybody respects him, everybody wants him to succeed so it was a great game with all the difficulties of every football game.
"I was waiting for the moment we could give him an opportunity. Today was intense for him. Someone has to drive him home hopefully. He gave absolutely everything. It's really nice to see. He could show how good he already is. So much more to come."
