Conor Bradley thrived under the adoration of Anfield as Liverpool rediscovered their sharpness in a commanding win over Real Madrid. The Northern Irish right-back, seen as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-term replacement, produced a display that rekindled memories of Liverpool’s finest days under Jurgen Klopp.
From the moment Liverpool and Real Madrid were drawn together, the meeting carried added emotion. Alexander-Arnold’s move to Spain had left many on Merseyside feeling betrayed, and Bradley’s emergence made the contrast even more striking. On a night charged with tension, the 22-year-old dominated his flank, turning Vinicius Jr. into a bystander.
Every defensive duel won by Bradley brought roars from the crowd, his confident runs forward amplifying the belief that Liverpool had truly turned a corner. His relentless energy symbolized a return to intensity and unity, as chants of his name echoed through Anfield.
Head coach Arne Slot summed up the mood afterwards: “Conor Bradley was outstanding. Facing Vinicius one-on-one so many times is not easy for anyone, but he was fantastic.”
Alexander-Arnold feels Anfield’s cold shoulder
For Alexander-Arnold, the homecoming was unforgiving. His mural near Anfield had been defaced with “Adios El Rata” before kickoff, a bitter sign of how far he had fallen in the eyes of some supporters. When his name was read out among the Real Madrid substitutes, boos filled the stadium.
The jeers intensified when he began his warm-up, with fans determined to remind him that loyalty still carries weight at Liverpool. The former favorite, who once embodied local pride, could only watch as his replacement excelled in the very role he once owned.
When Xabi Alonso sent him on for the final minutes as Real chased an equalizer, the response was merciless. A stray cross that flew out of play drew mocking laughter, while songs praising club icons who stayed – including Steven Gerrard, watching from the stands – rang out in deliberate contrast.
It was a painful evening for a player who had once been at the heart of Liverpool’s identity, now reduced to a symbol of departure rather than devotion.
Slot’s side rediscover control and composure
For Slot, the performance represented a welcome shift after weeks of uncertainty. Having suffered six defeats in seven matches before edging Aston Villa, Liverpool finally looked cohesive again. They pressed intelligently, controlled midfield, and defended with authority.
Slot praised his players’ focus despite recent setbacks: “When you lose, you spend all your time trying to fix it. But I tried to remind them of what was actually going well and not let outside noise distract us.”
The returning confidence was evident across the pitch. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister dictated the rhythm, while Florian Wirtz added creativity and Hugo Ekitike stretched Madrid’s defense. Only Thibaut Courtois prevented a heavier scoreline with several world-class saves.
Mac Allister’s decisive header from Szoboszlai’s free kick finally beat the Belgian, sealing a win that lifted Liverpool into sixth in the Champions League standings and closer to the knockout stage.
Real’s stars silenced as Liverpool shine
Real Madrid’s big names struggled throughout. Kylian Mbappe endured one of his least effective performances, rarely threatening Liverpool’s defense. Vinicius was neutralized by Bradley’s composure and strength, while Jude Bellingham failed to stamp any authority on midfield battles.
Bellingham’s only bright moment came with a low strike saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili. He later conceded the foul that led to Liverpool’s winner, rounding off a subdued display before England manager Thomas Tuchel announces his next squad.
Afterwards, Bellingham defended his teammate: “The boos weren’t personal. It’s part of football – the crowd wanted to give their team an edge. Everyone still respects what Trent did for Liverpool.”
For Alexander-Arnold, though, this visit to Anfield will be remembered only for hostility. For Bradley and Liverpool, it felt like the dawn of a new chapter.
