- Joe Bradley, the father of Liverpool star Conor, has died after a long illness
- The club revealed in a statement they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the news
Liverpool star Conor Bradley’s father Joe has passed away at the age of 58 after a long illness.
The news was confirmed by a statement from the club on Saturday, who sent their condolences to the Bradley family.
In a statement on the Liverpool website, the club said: ‘Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the death of Conor Bradley’s father, Joe, today.
‘The thoughts of everybody at the club are with Conor and all of the Bradley family at this very difficult and sad time.
‘On behalf of Conor, LFC strongly urges that the family’s privacy is fully respected at this time.’
Liverpool star Conor Bradley’s father Joe has passed away at the age of 58 after a long illness
Bradley put in a man-of-the-match display in Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea on Wednesday
Bradley put in a man-of-the-match performance during Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night.
He became the first Northern Irish-born player to score a top flight goal for England in 70 years when he got on the scoresheet, and he also registered two assists during a dominant display by the Reds.
After scoring his goal, Bradley told TNT Sports: ‘It’s a very proud moment obviously. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. I just feel like I’m in a dream. It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy!
‘I just couldn’t believe it went in. I just thought, “I’m going to hit it here” and it went in the bottom corner. I didn’t know what to do, I just went into the corner and did a knee slide. It was brilliant!
‘It’s unfortunate the way Trent [Alexander-Arnold] got injured but that’s what happens in football and I’ve just got to try and take my chance. Over the last couple of games I feel like I’ve done pretty well, so I just want to keep up this form and keep working hard.’
Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool vice captain, picked up a knee injury at the start of January, and has been used as a substitute twice this week as he returns to full fitness – with some fans wanting Bradley to start instead.
Liverpool play Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, but any decision on Bradley’s involvement will be left to his discretion.
Alexander-Arnold had told the Liverpool website that he felt the team’s performances in his absences were ‘outstanding’, with particular praise for the left-back challenging for his position.
Alexander-Arnold said: ‘I think the lads, especially Conor as well, the performances he and the team have put in have been outstanding and kept that momentum up and kept our run going’.
Bradley had made his Premier League debut for Liverpool just ten days previous to the Chelsea game on Wednesday, having spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers – and has now started five games in a row for the Reds.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp saw that the full-back would be a future star in pre-season
Fans had debated whether Trent Alexander-Arnold or Bradley should start against Arsenal
Bradley has been tipped to become one of the best players to come from Northern Ireland
Bradley’s family has been cited as a pivotal part in his development as a football player, including his loan spell at Bolton, which showed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp that the full-back was going to be important to the Reds moving forward.
Bradley’s mum, Linda, has acted as an unofficial agent for her son since his early days, while businessman Joe was also present during his football upbringing.
Bradley earned praise from Klopp in pre-season, but the 20-year-old missed more than four months at the start of the campaign with a back injury.
