“Strong and Quick”: Gary McAllister Claims One Liverpool Player Looks “Totally Different” During Pre-season
Liverpool have experienced a successful pre-season, with new coach Arne Slot integrating smoothly into the team.
The Reds have won all three of their pre-season matches as they prepare for their first season without Jurgen Klopp in nearly a decade.
Despite missing several key players due to international duties, Slot has managed to adapt and make the most of the situation.
The absence of prominent names has not adversely affected Liverpool’s performance. Young and fringe players have stepped up, with several making significant contributions.
As the Premier League season approaches, former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister has noted that one academy player now appears to be playing at a senior level for the Reds.
Gary McAllister Hails Conor Bradley Development
Despite missing key players such as Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, this pre-season has proven extremely beneficial for Slot.
It has allowed the Dutch manager to evaluate the depth of his squad and determine which young players are ready to contribute and which ones might require additional time to develop.
Conor Bradley is a player who seems to fall into the ready category. The right-back participated in all three of Liverpool’s pre-season matches in the US.
Just as he did when he first joined the first team last season, Bradley has performed impressively and shown he belongs at this level.
Early training videos highlighted Bradley’s dynamic performance, and he has carried that form into the matches.
On The Official Liverpool FC Podcast, McAllister noted that, based on observations from the US tour, Bradley has physically progressed since last season.
“We spoke to him at the training, visually he just totally looks different,” says the Scotsman.
“He’s still marauding forward but he’s grown into his body, he’s filling out and looking strong and quick.”
Bradley delivered another impressive performance during Sunday morning’s match against Manchester United. The Northern Irish player played for 73 minutes, the longest of any starter in the game.
The fact that Slot chose to keep Bradley on the field for such an extended period highlights the player’s athleticism. This attribute is expected to continue developing as he gains more experience.
At present, the amount of game time Bradley receives will largely depend on the head coach’s evaluation of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position. Slot plans to discuss with Alexander-Arnold about his optimal role within the team. Should Alexander-Arnold be positioned in midfield, Bradley would likely become a regular starter.
It is anticipated that Alexander-Arnold will remain in his current right-back role. Regardless, Bradley appears poised to take on a more significant role for Liverpool in the upcoming season.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot States Why Manchester United Deserved 3-0 Loss in Honest Verdict After Pre-season Victory
