Brilliant Conor Bradley leads Liverpool’s 4-1 rout of Chelsea in EPL

LONDON – Conor Bradley had the Anfield crowd singing his name after a goal and two assists, as Liverpool stamped their title credentials with a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea on Jan 31 that manager Jurgen Klopp called “outstanding”.

The German had called for the news of his impending departure at the end of the season not to be a distraction. On this evidence, it may only provide more inspiration for his side to deliver just a second Premier League title in 34 years.

“I don’t think you can have an outstanding team performance when the individuals don’t work together,” he told the BBC. “The start was brilliant, we were really going for them. We were outstanding, it was a top game.

“We could have scored and should have scored more goals. You cannot score five, six goals against Chelsea if you are not outstanding.”

The Reds maintained their five-point advantage at the top of the table to set up a potential thriller on Feb 4 against third-placed Arsenal. They have 51 points after 22 games, while Manchester City and Arsenal have 46, with City having a game in hand.

Liverpool will play Chelsea again in the League Cup final on Feb 25 and Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted that his side need to improve.

“It’s so clear they were much better than us. We lost every single duel. Every time we recovered the ball after one or two touches we lost it,” he told TNT Sports.

“We didn’t perform the way we wanted to perform. You have to say well done to Liverpool. If you want to match them in the final, we need to compete in a different way.”

Once again, the injured Mohamed Salah was not missed as Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez provided a constant threat, while Bradley’s emergence is blocking Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to the starting line-up.

The 20-year-old’s goal was his first for Liverpool, but was not a complete surprise as the Northern Ireland youngster has been excellent at right-back since replacing the injured Alexander-Arnold.

He earned a rousing standing ovation and huge hug from Klopp when he was substituted.

“Incredible. Wonderful. He’s flying at the moment. Rightly so. He’s working hard and is a good footballer,” said the manager. He’s helped us so much it’s incredible.

“Quite a few people said we need a right-back in the summer but we were very positive about Conor.”

Bradley became the youngest Liverpool player to score and assist in a goal in the EPL since Raheem Sterling, who was on the pitch for Chelsea, nearly 10 years ago.

Nunez was relentless in attack, but hit the post with a first-half penalty, and had numerous other near-misses. The Uruguayan became the first player since 2003-04 to hit the woodwork four times in a Premier League match.

“He was really disappointed with himself about missing the penalty but he is a handful,” Klopp insisted.

“It was really hard for him. But he sets up a goal even after the disappointment. Still a bit unlucky, so it’s all fine.”

Former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer agreed, telling the BBC: “Darwin Nunez does not stop getting in behind. I like his perseverance and that is why he will definitely score goals.”

Jota was more clinical when he carved through the heart of the Chelsea defence to slam home on 23 minutes, with a Bradley assist.

Bradley then produced a finish that Alexander-Arnold would have been proud of, bursting down the right and firing low and hard into the far corner to double their lead.

Liverpool’s third did not take long to arrive after the break, as another purposeful run and pinpoint cross from Bradley picked out Dominik Szoboszlai to head home.

Chelsea grabbed a consolation through Christopher Nkunku, before Luis Diaz made it 4-1 for the Reds to end the day on a high.
REUTERS, AFP