Conor Bradley signs new long-term contract with Liverpool
Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal to extend his stay at Anfield after returning from injury to feature against LASK on Thursday night in the Europa League.
The right-back came on for a brief cameo during Liverpool's 4-0 win over the Austrian side, his first senior appearance of the season.
Bradley had been out for four months with a stress fracture in his back, a disappointing development as he was expected to play a significant part for the Reds in cup competitions at the beginning of the season.
However, despite impressing on loan at Bolton Wanderers last term, injury has denied him opportunities to impress Jurgen Klopp.
Having signed a new long-term deal, although there is no specification to the exact length of the contract extension, there should be plenty of chances for Bradley to catch the Liverpool manager's eye.
The 13-cap Northern Ireland international was praised by Klopp after Liverpool's victory against LASK, the German hopeful that Bradley can play a big role for the Reds moving forward.
"A real prospect for us. We really count on him," said Klopp. "The boys in that age group, we have super talents, I have to say. You saw it tonight again, really smart, brave, good footballer, and after that long time…"
He added: "For Conor tonight, I told him after the game, ‘enjoyed it?’, he said ‘I missed it, I missed it so much!’
"It’s harsh for these boys, the body sometimes when you’re a real talent, like Conor is for example or Stefan Bajectic is, then you are ready footballing-wise, but the body still needs to grow into the intensity.
"These two boys probably have now had that spell, one has it still, the other one is out of it, now we have to make sure we don’t overdo it.
"We really try, we are really careful with the boys, but sometimes it happens anyway. So now he’s back and now he can help us. That will help him."