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Cunningham: 'No Drop Off' From 'Worst Defender' Trent To Conor Bradley

Cunningham: 'No Drop Off' From 'Worst Defender' Trent To Conor Bradley
Rob O'Halloran
By Rob O'Halloran Updated
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Conor Bradley was given another opportunity to show his worth for Liverpool with Trent Alexander-Arnold rested for their Champions League clash with Lille on Tuesday night.

The Northern Irishman has been a hugely exciting prospect for Liverpool since breaking into the senior squad last season, putting in some eye-catching performances.

Just 21, the Tyrone native has been tipped to succeed Alexander-Arnold if the decorated Liverpool vice-captain is to depart Anfield upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

Like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold is yet to commit his future to the Premier League leaders beyond the end of the season.

While questions have been made of his defensive capabilities in the past - most recently during his abject performance against Manchester United - there is little doubting his offensive prowess.

The Liverpool academy graduate has been the premier right-back in terms of offence globally over the last six of seven seasons, drawing interest from the likes of Real Madrid.

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His potential departure would pave the way for Bradley to take his starting berth, although naturally there are concerns as to how much Liverpool's attack would suffer in the absence of their chief-creator.

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Cunningham claims no drop-off from Trent to Conor Bradley

Former Ireland defender Kenny Cunningham has little concern for the Reds, claiming that there would be no drop-off if Bradley were to succeed Alexander-Arnold from next season.

While he accepts Trent offers more in attack, Cunningham believes things could be better for Liverpool with Bradley involved due to his greater defensive talents.

Conor Bradley can contribute at the final third of the pitch, there is no doubt.. that part of his game will get better, he will polish that up," he said on Premier Sports.

"His defensive attributes for me have convinced me that this lad is the future for Liverpool at right-back for the next 10 years.

"Don't worry about Trent heading to Madrid or another club in the summer; there is going to be no drop-off. This kid is going to make it better potentially in the future.

"Defensively I love watching him play. He takes so much pride, winning headers, making tackles and stopping crosses into the box."

He concluded: "For me, Liverpool are stronger with him in the team from a defensive point of view. Is he going to give you the numbers that Trent does going forward? Maybe not.

"But in terms of an all-round defender - defence and attack - this kid could be anything."

Huge praise from Cunningham, who, it must be said, has not shied away from criticising Alexander-Arnold in the past.

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The former central defender continued in that vain, claiming that the Scouser has gotten worse during his time at his boyhood club, while questioning Jurgen Klopp for indulging his defensive errors.

'He is an exceptional attacking full-back, probably the best of his generation - that is an absolute given," he said.

"You also have to recognise that he is probably one of the worst defenders I've seen in a Liverpool jersey in my lifetime.

"I've never seen an elite football club with a player who has defended consistently as bad during the time he has been with the club and he has gotten worse as the years have gone on.

"The only criticism I make of Klopp, and I am a huge Klopp fan, is that he indulged him. There was no consequences for Trent Alexander-Arnold."

The 26-year-old, who has won every trophy on offer bar the second-tier Europa League at Anfield, was played in a roaming hybrid fullback role under Klopp to highlight his creative strengths, often leaving him vulnerable to the coutner-attack.

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Losing Alexander-Arnold would be a blow regardless of Bradley's presence, but there are currently no concerns over their squad depth at right-back at present as they hunt another Premier League title.

SEE ALSO: Moyes Explains Why He Played Jake O'Brien Out Of Position In Key Everton Win

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