Conor Bradley has been one of the most talked-about young defenders at Liverpool and for Northern Ireland this season.
The right-back finally looked like he was finding his rhythm again after a frustrating spell with injuries. But just as things seemed to be heading in the right direction, a twist has arrived — he won’t be part of Northern Ireland’s next big match.
Bradley will sit out his nation’s crucial clash against Germany on Monday. The reason? A yellow card picked up in the 2-0 win over Slovakia, which triggered a one-match suspension.
It’s a tough blow for both Michael O’Neill’s side and the player himself, especially after his standout display last time out.
The 22-year-old has had a stop-start season at Liverpool so far. A pre-season injury ruled him out of the opening few Premier League fixtures, and he’s been fighting to earn consistent minutes ever since.
The arrival of Jeremie Frimpong and Arne Slot’s occasional use of Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back have only made competition tougher.
Still, Bradley’s international form has been a bright spot. Against Slovakia, he was electric — pressing hard, driving forward, and showing the leadership that made him captain for the third time.
His performance drew praise from all corners. Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill called it “terrific” and “outstanding,” while teammate Trai Hume didn’t hold back either, saying:
“Conor Bradley was the best player on the pitch by a mile, in my opinion.”
Midfielder Shea Charles echoed those sentiments, calling his display “unbelievable.”
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A cruel pause at the wrong time for Conor Bradley
Bradley’s yellow card was the only blemish on an otherwise near-perfect night. It means he’ll now have to watch from the sidelines as Northern Ireland take on Germany — a game that could define their qualifying hopes.
Both sides sit level on six points, and a win could tilt the balance in O’Neill’s favor.
Hume admitted the absence is a big setback:
“Obviously Conor is going to be a big miss, but we’re a big group, we’re a strong team and we’re all together.”
The manager will now have to tweak his strategy without his most dynamic defender.
For Bradley, this short pause might just be the calm before the next storm. If he can take this confidence back to Liverpool, it could be the spark he needs to reignite his club form.
After all, every setback in football can be a setup for a comeback — and Conor Bradley might just be preparing his next run down the right flank.
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