Liverpool defender Conor Bradley expects another loan spell after a successful stint with Bolton Wanderers despite Jurgen Klopp's claims.
The Northern Ireland international has been an inspired piece of business for the Trotters as the 19-year-old cemented his place as the first-choice left-back at the University of Bolton Stadium. During his time with the League One side, they emphatically won the Papa John's Trophy following a comfortable win over Plymouth Argyle.
Both Bradley and Manchester City loanee James Trafford were heralded by the Bolton fans as they fell marginally short in the hunt for Championship promotion; beaten by Barnsley in the play-off semi-final.
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The 19-year-old bid farewell to the fans at Oakwell following their defeat and has confirmed he will return to Anfield for pre-season at least.
"I am going back to Liverpool, I’ll have a little bit of time off to relax and recover because it has been a long season," he told Bolton News. "I’ll go back in pre-season and then see what happens from there, whether I go out on loan again, or stay there, it is up in the air.
"I came here to become a better footballer but I have also become a better person, so I am very thankful to them for all the hard work they have done with me.
"I am very thankful to them. I wanted to grow up a little bit, toughen up a little bit, so I am glad I got to do that."
With his impressive displays brought the conversation to the Reds manager and the German confirmed he will be under the microscope during their preparations for the 2023-24 season but another loan move isn't ruled out.
"We are in constant contact," Klopp said last month. "Pep Ljinders installed a WhatsApp group and we are watching really closely what he's doing and it's great.
"The plan is to bring him back and keep him, but we will see. He is a contender [for first team]. A few years ago, only a few football nerds would have known about him.
"Now everyone knows about him. But it depends whether its better for him to be with the squad in pre-season or go back out on loan. We knew what we had on our hands when he was here but young boys need the opportunity to play.
"Conor will be our player, but how it is in that age group, we have to see if it'll make more sense for him to go out on loan."
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