Conor Bradley revealed that Jurgen Klopp has kept in touch with him during his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers from Liverpool as he admits it has been a step-up playing in League One from under-23s football.
The 19-year-old wing-back is spending the season on loan at Wanderers from the Premier League side. It is his first spell away from the Anfield club.
He has impressed so far in his time at the University of Bolton Stadium. He has scored two goals and established himself as the early first choice for boss Ian Evatt at right wing-back.
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Bradley was a long term transfer target for Evatt and the Bolton boss wanted the Northern Ireland international originally in January. But the youngster was at that point still involved with Liverpool's first team.
This summer though, the move became a reality and Bradley is enjoying his time out on loan at Wanderers. Bradley still keeps in touch with Liverpool boss Klopp during his loan spell and the defender is happy the German is keeping an eye on his progress.
“I spoke a little bit with the manager (Klopp) in the summer about it (going out on loan),” Bradley revealed to the Liverpool Echo. “He told me to go and enjoy it and play as many games as I can. Go and do as well as you can.
“He’s been keeping in touch, wishing me luck for the games and gives me a well done. It’s nice that he’s staying in contact even though I’m out on loan.
“It’s quite important that the club have still stayed in contact and made sure I was alright with the loan. It’s my first time moving out and stuff like that.
“The club have been brilliant with that to be fair, they’re always checking in on me. Some people come up to see me as well to make sure I’m okay. Liverpool have been brilliant with that.
“I knew that Bolton were interested quite a bit ago. It’s always nice when the manager wants you in and that he likes you. It makes it that little bit easier for you and the manager has been great with me since I came. I couldn’t ask anything more from him.
“It was probably the back-end of last season, when we were discussing going out on loan with Liverpool. We just wanted to do what was best for me. What the club felt and what I felt was best for my development.
“We all thought the best thing was for me to go out on loan. We’ve done that and hopefully it goes well throughout the season.”
He added: "It’s been a good test so far. There has been some good games we’ve had and some tough games, and I’m really enjoying it.
“It’s my first time out on loan so it was hard at the start to gel with the group but I feel like I’m doing that now and it’s been a good start to the season.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been easy, it’s been quite difficult to be honest, dealing with the men’s game and how difficult it is. But I knew it was going to be difficult playing against men every week and the physical things that are asked of you.
“It’s not easy playing every Saturday and Tuesday, it’s not something I was used to playing with the Under-23s so that has been quite difficult for me. I knew it would be very tough physically.
“I knew it would be a step-up from Under-23s and a step-up playing every Saturday/Tuesday. A big step up. The recovery and going again but I feel like I’ve dealt with it well and adapted well so far.
“I just want to keep on doing that and kick on from there, keep trying to get as many goals and assists as I can and help the team as best as I can.”
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