Conor Bradley announced himself to the Premier League scene on Sunday but Liverpool fans can rely on Diogo Jota keeping the Co. Tyrone youngster's feet on the ground.
Having previously made 10 appearances for the Reds in cup competitions, Bradley finally made his top flight bow in a 4-0 victory away at Bournemouth on Sunday.
The 20-year-old right-back has seized the opportunity presented to him by Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury absence, and managed to set up Jota's second goal of the game, which made it 3-0 to Jurgen Klopp's side.
While Bradley had plenty of space to play the ball in from the right, his pass scuffed along the wet surface, before Jota finally fired home at the second attempt, having mishit his first effort.
"He did alright" 😏
Diogo Jota reacts to Conor Bradley's Premier League debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/spwSi7ZiXu— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 21, 2024
Diogo Jota takes mick out of Conor Bradley in Sky interview
The pair were interviewed by Sky Sports after the game and if Bradley thought that his senior teammate was going to have his back, he was very much mistaken.
"I told him it was not a great cross," said Jota, prompting laughter from the interviewer and Bradley himself. "But he had a great performance in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, he deserved this start, another great performance, almost a goal.
Later in the interview, when Bradley was asked to hand the Player of the Match award to Jota, the Portuguese quipped: "Thank you, better than your assist."
"Better than your assist" 😭
Diogo Jota did not need to do Conor Bradley like that 😅 pic.twitter.com/FrsCb718dR— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 21, 2024
Bradley's Premier League dream realised
Playing in the Premier League is a dream for any youngster starting out in football and Bradley is no different.
"From about five years old I would say," he answered when asked how long he had been waiting for his big moment.
"My Premier League debut is one I've been waiting for for a while so to get that now, I'm really proud."
Bradley took Jota's ribbing in good spirits, and it's great to see him feeling at home in a Liverpool dressing room that is filled with illustrious names.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to recover from injury in the coming weeks, but Bradley already looks to have impressed Klopp enough to ensure further first-team opportunities, as the Premier League leaders continue to fire on four fronts this season.
Diogo Jota at the double! 💥 pic.twitter.com/APSDavl2Yr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 21, 2024
"A wonderful kid."
"Really, really good," the German coach told Liverpool club media about Bradley's performance.
"Very impressive. I can say exactly the same, a wonderful kid, a really hard worker, and a good footballer. He is a defender but he can attack as well. He could've scored, probably should've scored a header.
"I forgot that. No, he should've scored in that situation. But anyhow it was a really good game and for the first one, yeah, sometimes you have to forget your first game because it's just your first one, but no he shouldn't, that's a good start."
Bradley is already well-known to Northern Ireland fans, having already won 13 caps since making his senior international debut against Malta in May 2021.
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