Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praises ‘real talent’ Conor Bradley after LASK win in UEFA Europa League

Jurgen Klopp called Conor Bradley a “real talent” after the 20-year-old made his European debut in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over LASK in the UEFA Europa League.

Klopp made nine changes from the team that secured a 1-1 draw at Manchester City at the weekend, but reserved special praise for second-half substitute Bradley in his post-match interview.

Bradley entered the fray with 82 minutes on the clock – replacing Ryan Gravenberch – and Klopp told TNT Sports' Becky Ives that he loved giving the Northern Ireland international his first taste of European football.

"I love it," Klopp told TNT Sports after the match. "And Conor, with just a few moments in the game, you can see he is a real talent for us. He is a real prospect for us.

"We really count on him. It is so nice. Luke [Chambers] as well. It is cool. We could have brought Kaide Gordon on too, who is finally back in full training, and he looks super in training.

“There are a lot of positives. For Conor tonight, I told him after the game to enjoy it."

The result means Liverpool finish top of Group E with a game to spare and qualify for the Last 16 on 12 points, and former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole thinks the Reds have talent and depth to chase a quadruple this season.

"Liverpool are fighting on all four fronts," he said.

"They've got the squad strong enough to take it. You look at the players who came in today in all positions, they're all international footballers, all world class, all would be very disappointed when they're not picked for the Premier League team, but having this competition keeps them ticking over, keeps them ready.

"When it starts again in March they could be in a position where they are going for all four competitions, that is how strong this Liverpool squad is.

"I think the title will go down to the wire, and Jurgen Klopp is certainly building his third top side that he's had in the years he's had at Liverpool."

Klopp, though, still saw room for improvement in his team.

"A lot of good stuff, but some that I did not like too much," he said.

"If you are on the front foot and in charge of the game then kill it, and we did not do that, so we opened up the game a bit and gave them chances.

"Winning 4-0 is obviously fantastic. Defensively, we were extremely strong."

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