Conor Bradley has admitted he hopes to 'rival' Trent Alexander-Arnold for a starting spot in the Liverpool first-team in the years to come.
Jurgen Klopp's side recruited Calvin Ramsay as an understudy for Alexander-Arnold, before later cashing in on Neco Williams as part of a £17million deal. One other player the Reds have in their ranks in this department is Bradley, who made five senior appearances last term.
Taking on a new challenge for the upcoming campaign, the 19-year-old has joined Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan. The Whites are one of the teams being backed to challenge for a play-off place in League One as they look to build on their ninth-placed finish of 2021/22.
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Bolton get their 46-game league season under way tomorrow afternoon at Ipswich Town and Bradley, raring to go ahead of this contest, remains adamant this was the ideal next step in his career.
"It probably was a big decision but it was one I felt I needed," he told the Manchester Evening News of his temporary switch. "I wanted to get out and play first team football. I couldn’t have thought of a better place to come to be honest. It was a massive decision. Obviously, it is not going to be easy, moving away from Liverpool and coming to Bolton. But it was one I just couldn’t wait for and speaking to the manager, I just couldn’t wait to get started. I am very glad I have come here."
The Northern Ireland international is likely to return to Anfield as an improved individual, though a major challenge awaits the teenager in the years ahead. Displacing Alexander-Arnold is the ultimate task for any player, though Bradley is fully aware of this reality and is prepared to remain patient for first-team opportunities.
"Obviously, I still want to try to rival Trent (in the long term). I know it is going to be difficult because he is unbelievable. But I just want to keep working hard, keep doing what I am doing and hopefully good things will come," he said.
"Everyone at the club (Liverpool) had the same sort of feeling, ‘Just go and enjoy your football. Get as many games under your belt as you can and try to do as best as you can’."
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