Conor Bradley has seen his Liverpool career take off since the turn of the year and the Northern Ireland star has scored his first goal and won his first trophy

“Mental”.

That’s how Conor Bradley reflects on the last three months when his Liverpool career has gone supersonic.

Bradley got his chance when Trent Alexander-Arnold injured his knee at Arsenal in early January and has featured in every game since when he has been available.

He bagged his opening goal against Chelsea, and two assists, and got his first winner’s medal last month when he played a key role in the Carabao Cup Final.

Not a bad start for the kid who grew up in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, dreaming of playing for his beloved Reds.

“It’s been mental,” he said. “I remember sitting on the bench at Arsenal, just dying to get on.

“They moved Trent into midfield and I came on at right-back. I was up against Gabriel Martinelli and it was a big test, but I did OK and it’s just kicked on from there.

“It’s been brilliant. All my dreams have come true in the last few months.

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“I’d love to get my first goal for Northern Ireland, that would be a dream come true.

“But quite a few of my big dreams have been realised, especially scoring for Liverpool, getting my first assist and winning at Wembley was brilliant too.”

The Kop have taken Bradley to their hearts after he became the first Northern Ireland player to score for Liverpool since Sammy Smyth in 1954.

“I definitely didn’t think it would go this well,” he said. “You dream about scoring your first goal for Liverpool, but never think it will come true.

“My pinch-myself moment was probably against Chelsea when I scored and had two assists and the fans chanting my name was pretty special.

“I don’t think I’ll have a better night than that to be honest.”

Bradley, 20, is incredibly grounded in the face of such a whirlwind of success and says his Northern Ireland team-mates still treat him the same.

He is back with them after missing the last three squads with a stress fracture of his back and will add to his 13 caps in Friday’s friendly against Romania and Tuesday’s clash with Scotland at Hampden Park.

“All the lads still treat me the same, they still slag me off!” he grinned.

“Everything has stayed the same and the boys have been brilliant with me.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been away with Northern Ireland, Denmark in June. I’ve missed them and I’m buzzing to be back.”

Bradley is gutted Jurgen Klopp will be leaving at the end of the season and will always be grateful to him for believing in him.

“He’s helped me massively,” he said. “He gave me my first chance with Liverpool so I’ll forever be grateful to him.

“When I found out he was leaving, I was just shocked and quite sad to be honest because he’s the only manager I’ve ever known at Liverpool.

“The future’s big, I’m really looking forward to the run-in after these two Northern Ireland games.

“Hopefully we can do as well as we can and I’ll have a medal at the end of the season.”