Despite successfully keeping Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior quiet during Liverpool’s Champions League win over Real Madrid, Conor Bradley failed to impress Roy Keane. The former Manchester United captain criticized Bradley’s attacking ability following his solid defensive performance as Northern Ireland captain at Anfield.
Bradley won two-thirds of their encounters and was solid against Vinicius, earning him widespread acclaim, mirroring his dominant performance against Kylian Mbappe in the same match last season. Ian Wright praised Bradley on his Stick to Football podcast, saying: “That’s why you want to see him play against wingers like that, because it takes him to different places. He did everything last night. He was great to watch.”
“Yeah, defense,” Keane answered, adding: “But that’s what he lacks, which is picking the last pass. Last night he got into a good position. He’s still looking for that.”
Mr. Wright defended Bradley, saying, “He did his main job, he did what he had to do last night,” adding, “To stop him. You know what I mean?”
However, Keane was unimpressed and retorted, “We sit here every week and talk about the backs of modern football. It’s not just defense. Now, you sit here every week and say Trent is great. What are Trent’s strengths? No, I just know in general. What are Trent’s strengths?”
The Arsenal legend hit back: “I’m talking to Trent. We’ve just talked about Trent’s future. We’re talking about last night and Conor Bradley’s defense.”
Keane’s criticism of Liverpool supporters also caused a stir. Fans were unhappy with Alexander-Arnold’s departure, and the former number 66 was bound to receive jeers upon his return.
“I wasn’t surprised and I don’t think Trent was surprised either if I’m being completely honest,” Jamie Carragher explained on CBS Sports earlier this week. “There are clearly strong emotions moving in the city around him.
“I was a local lad who played for Liverpool and lived in Liverpool. And in this city, we live and breathe football every day. I’m not a player anymore, but Liverpool is all we talk about.”
“So when someone in your team steps forward and makes a decision that 99 per cent of the supporters think, ‘I wouldn’t do that,’ then Liverpool’s local players have to embody those supporters.
“I know what Trent is going through and the difficulties you can face, but it is not easy to leave Liverpool.
“One thing about the reaction is that he always said, ‘I’m just a supporter on the pitch.’ He wanted to be captain and be a Liverpool legend.
“Liverpool won the league last season and could win the Champions League this season. Why wouldn’t we want more?”
“And there was another factor that disappointed Liverpool supporters. I’m not going to say we disagree because he’s a great talent, but that’s why Real Madrid needed him. That’s why he won so many games.”
“But he has received quite a bit of criticism. Liverpool supporters feel that Trent went to bat. Liverpool supporters have always struggled with his corner. That’s why there’s this reaction.”
