“I just feel like I’m in a dream, it’s unbelievable” – Conor Bradley reflects on stunning Liverpool form after first goal for the club

Conor Bradley has said his first goal for Liverpool, in his second man-of-the-match performance in the space of week, ‘felt like a dream’.

The 20-year-old from Aghyaran described his goal – the second in the Reds’ 4-1 Premier League win over Chelsea on Wednesday as ‘a proud moment’.

Bradley fired into the bottom corner in the 39th minute to double the Reds’ lead having earlier provided the pass that led to Diogo Jota’s opener midway through the first half.

After Darwin Nunez sent a penalty against the post in first-half stoppage-time – one of four times he hit the woodwork – the advantage was extended in the 65th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai headed in from Bradley’s cross.

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“It’s a very proud moment, its something I’ve dreamed off for a long time. I just feel like I’m in a dream, it’s unbelievable. I’m very happy,” Bradley told TNT Sports after the game.

“I couldn’t believe it went in. I just hit and it went in the bottom corner and I just didn’t know what to do, so I just went over the corner and did a knee slide.”

The former Omagh CBS student, who is a product of the famed Dungannon United Youth Club in Tyrone, has seized the chance handed to him in the absence through injury of England international Trent Alexander-Arnold.

He turned in a man-of-the-match performance in Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Norwich City on Sunday and, as well as his goal against Chelsea, has now got five assists in four games.

He said: “It has been brilliant. It’s unfortunate the way Trent got injured. But that’s what happens in football, I’ve just got to take my chance. Over the last couple of games, I think I’ve done pretty well.

“I just want to keep up this form and keep working hard.”

Bradley’s performances have also earned praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who said the the talent and performances of the Northern Ireland international vindicate the club’s decision not to delve into the transfer market in order to secure back-up for Alexander-Arnold.

Klopp said on TNT sports: “He’s an incredible boy, wonderful.

“I didn’t hear, but somebody said the crowd was already singing his name. It’s just great, He’s flying at the moment and rightly so. He’s working hard, he’s a good footballer and helped us so much, it’s incredible.

“And that’s another thing – think back to the summer and there were quite a few people who said ‘we need another right back, blah, blah blah….’for different reasons. We were really were very positive about Conor.

“With all the injuries we’ve had, we can’t put this string of results together when these boys don’t show up. I’m really pleased for them.”

Klopp rocked the football world last Friday when he announced that we would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.

Bradley believes that has made the players more determined to give the German the perfect send of after eight and a half years at the club.

“It was a big shock to us all. I definitely didn’t see it coming myself. It’s extra motivation to win everything we can this year but we’ve just got to keep it going, taking it game by game and just winning as many games as we can,” Bradley added.