Liverpool player who wowed Thierry Henry is crucial to repeating Real Madrid heroics
Liverpool can truly get their campaign back on track with another statement performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday (November 4).
In November 2024, Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid strengthened their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout stages.
Now, ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield, Arne Slot will be hoping to repeat those heroics after finding life difficult in his second campaign on Merseyside.
Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday to end a winless run of four matches in the Premier League. However, a showdown against Real is a different kettle of fish, and Slot will need every single one of his players bang at it.
Conor Bradley vs Vinicius Junior
When the Reds secured a statement win over Real Madrid at Anfield last year, Conor Bradley received huge plaudits for shutting down Kylian Mbappe while providing the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s goal.
Bradley held his own against one of the best players on the planet with some incredible last-ditch tackles and impressive defensive awareness.
| Conor Bradley’s stats vs Real Madrid |
| 87 minutes played |
| 9 recoveries |
| 7/12 ground duels won |
| 1 last man tackles |
| 3 fouls drawn |
| 1 assist |
The Northern Irishman also restricted Mbappe to just two shots on goal and zero key passes, summing up a disappointing night for the French superstar.
Slot will need another heroic performance from the 22-year-old, who is likely to be up against the world-class Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian missed the clash against Liverpool last year, but arrives at Anfield in red-hot form with nine goal involvements in La Liga, although he’s yet to score or assist in the Champions League this term.
Thierry Henry was wowed by Bradley vs Real Madrid
Bradley’s battle with Vini Jr holds the key to his side’s chances of securing victory, and he’ll need to be at his best to shut down the 25-year-old.
When Bradley pocketed Mbappe last year, Thierry Henry was impressed by the youngster, labelling his performance as ‘outstanding’.
“That (tackle), for me, already did set the tone,” Henry said. “Boom! That’s it. You all know, when you go into someone like that at the beginning of the game, you’re going to struggle.
“We see him making that run every time, he fancied it. You could see, he fancied himself against Mbappe. Everything he did was spot on. We were waiting for Salah, we were waiting for Mbappe, but we saw Conor Bradley so fair play to him.”
Henry added: “Bradley was just outstanding. I think he didn’t have to do a lot defensively because Mbappe didn’t do a lot offensively, so it became very easy.“
Bradley has struggled for Liverpool at the start of this campaign, but he will have fire in his belly to prove he belongs on the biggest stage.