Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Spanish press HAIL Reds prodigy who ENDED Mbappe | OneFootball

Conor Bradley locks up Kylian Mbappe

Given all of the headlines and speculation before the game surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold and a potential move to Real Madrid, it was poetic that his understudy Conor Bradley would be the name on everyone's minds.

Coming up against one of the world's elite forwards in French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, the young Northern Irish international fullback had a significant task ahead of him if Liverpool were to get something from the game.

And to say he delivered a masterclass doesn't quite do his efforts justice.

Time and time again, Bradley made sure to keep his positioning steady and not fall into the trap of committing too early to allow Mbappe to dribble past him.

His last-ditch tackle in front of the Kop End faithful will remain long in the memory of Liverpool fans for years to come.

And as such, his performance stood out within the Spanish media.

In MARCA's player ratings of the 15-time Champions League winners, Mbappe was slandered for his efforts, which were largely cut out by Bradley throughout the night.

They said: “He ran with a lot of speed but he was found by a great performance by Conor Bradley.

"Things didn't come out, the team looked for him but didn't find him and when he had to defend he didn’t.”

Not bad for a 21-year-old Liverpool academy product, playing in just the third Champions League match of his career.

Liverpool's full-back dilemma

After Kelleher's excellent form in goal continued last night, while Alisson Becker remains sidelined with an injury, Liverpool will have a difficult decision to make when both players are eventually fit to play.

And the same dilemma is beginning to spur with Arne Slot's right-backs.

In Trent's injury absence, Bradley delivered a performance that Trent would have been hard-pushed to equal, although we all know he is more than capable of it.

When both are fit, it is likely that Slot chooses Trent, but last night we were given a real glimpse of how Liverpool could still compete against the best, without him in the team, which may be a situation the Reds have to deal with long-term, if the England international decides to move away from Merseyside.

His contract talks have been ongoing for some time now, and we are still none the wiser as to whether we are even remotely close to a resolution any time soon.

Liverpool were given hope that Trent may be fit for the Manchester City game at Anfield on Sunday after the defender had spent a few weeks out following tightness in his hamstring.

At his best, he is still Arne Slot's preferred choice on the right flank, and while this would be a blow for Bradley - who is currently facing a slight injury scare himself - the Northern Irishman has shown that he can be trusted when he's called upon.