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Evenly: Conor Bradley would be the first Northern Irishman to play for Liverpool in 67 years
Steven Beacom Twitter
Teenage Conor Bradley could make history tonight by becoming the first Northern Irish player since Sammy Smyth in 1954, who plays in a competitive game for Liverpool.
The 18-year-old from Tyrone did not play for the Reds U23 on Sunday, which led to suggestions that he should play for Jurgen in the Carabao Cup game in Norwich City Klopp’s team could play.
If the right-back makes a dream debut from the German, it will be an experience for the youngster, who has already played three A internationals.
It would also be a special moment for the many Liverpool -Fans in Northern Ireland, most of whom have never seen anyone from their home country play for their favorite team.
It is noteworthy that no one from Northern Ireland has appeared for the Reds in 67 years. During this time, names like Jim Magilton, Rodney McAree, David Larmour, Sean Friars and Ryan McLaughlin have played either at reserve level or in first-team friendlies, but never a competitive game.
After signing United Youth with Dungannon in 2019 Bradley was, initially with a scholarship, impressed at the Liverpool Academy, received a professional contract and trained several times with the first team against Stuttgart.
Previously, he made his international debut as a late substitute in the 3-0 friendly win against Malta in May. At the beginning of the month there was a great game in the second half in a 1-0 friendly win in Estonia, before a few days later he thrilled the Windsor Park fans, again as a substitute, in a goalless World Cup qualifier with Switzerland.
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The Northern Irish fans loved Bradley’s energy and roared loudly and proudly when he crunched Ricardo Rodriguez.
In Klopp’s time as Anfield boss, he often gave young players the chance to win the League Cup with the 20th -year-old midfielder Curtis Jones, a great example of a player who starred in this competition and now doing the same in Europe in the Premier League.
Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, strikers Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi as well defenders Ibrahim Konate and Nat Phillips are expected to have valuable playing time on Carrow Road.
“I want to name one (name) who will start (against Norwich) and that is Curtis Jones. Why do I want to say his name? Because he will play his 50th game.
“It all started with games like this. There are so many diamonds, so many special players who can’t wait to take these steps, so it’s important that we keep doing so.
“One that we push is inspiring the entire academy so we have to stick to the logic of the insider’s path. ”
Bradley was not involved in Liverpool’s U23 game against Leeds on Sunday. Another promising kid who missed this game was 16-year-old winger Kaide Gordon, who signed the Merseysiders from Derby in February.
« He’s a typical Liverpool Football Club winger in my opinion because he has goals, he has speed, « said Lijnders.
» He has a goal in himself and he has this natural ability to stand between the posts in the penalty area to score a cross from the opposing side to shoot and they don’t have a lot of talent. «
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