Latest news with #ConorBradley
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Players' club successes can help NI careers
Northern Ireland first team coach Steven Davis says recent successes enjoyed by members of Michael O'Neill's squad at club level should help their progression in the international game.A number of players were part of crucial occasions for their teams in recent weeks ahead of Northern Ireland's forthcoming friendlies away to Denmark on 7 June and home to Iceland on 10 June."You just have to look at some of the individual seasons the players have had, obviously Conor [Bradley] winning the Premier League [with Liverpool], Justin Devenny winning the FA Cup [with Crystal Palace] and Trai Hume and Dan Ballard being promoted to the Premier League with Sunderland," said Davis in an interview with BBC Sport NI."It's vital that the players continue to progress at their clubs and that's what they're doing, they just have to continue to develop. "Ultimately they come in better placed into the international set-up if that's the case."The 140-times capped international reflected that there had been "a lot of progression within the group over the last 12 or 18 months" with a series of positive results and the team topping their Nations League upcoming friendly double-header will act as preparation for the start of World Cup qualifying in September."These games are vital because the time you get with the players is so limited in international football so whenever you do get together it's important you maximise that time, reinforce your ideas and add layers to them. "The level of opposition in the two games will test us too."We're coming up against stiff opposition [in World Cup qualifying] in Germany, Slovakia and Luxembourg, it's a difficult group but these two games coming up are great preparation for us." 'Seeing a different side of O'Neill' Davis says he is enjoying working under O'Neill as part of his backroom team."He's demanding, which he should be and you have to be. He's very detailed. I thought that as a player too. "Obviously you get to see a little bit of a different side as part of the coaching staff and we spend a lot of time together analysing things."He's very open to our opinions as coaching staff, which is great for me, you can give your opinions, and ultimately he makes the decisions."The former Rangers midfielder is currently working towards his Uefa Pro Licence qualification and explains that he harbours ambitions of being a manager one day."You only get it [coaching ability] by getting experience, by being in and around it. That's the best learning curve you can get - real life situations, and more time on the grass as well. That's how you develop."We'll see where it takes us. I do eventually have ambitions to be a manager but at this moment in time it's important I continue to learn."
International Business Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- International Business Times
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Live Streaming: How to Watch the Premier League Match in the US, UK and India
Liverpool will host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday as they prepare to celebrate their Premier League win in style. The Reds have dominated Crystal Palace in recent years, having been unbeaten in 16 of their last 17 meetings with them. They will be eager to end the 2024/25 campaign on a high note when the two teams clash on the final day of the season. However, Liverpool's recent form has declined, possibly due to a lack of urgency after securing the title. Major losses to Chelsea and Brighton have highlighted their recent struggles, and they will be desperate to deliver a memorable performance in front of their home fans. Liverpool Aim to Celebrate Title in Style Meanwhile, Crystal Palace arrive in brilliant form, having won four of their last five matches across all competitions. The Eagles also claimed a historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City, which will boost their confidence heading into this matchup. The South London side will hope to crash Liverpool's celebration with a spirited display, although a win or loss won't overshadow their recent success. Whether they can spring a surprise at Anfield remains to be seen. Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Crystal Palace, with Alisson Becker guarding the net. Conor Bradley and Andrew Robertson will be the full-backs. In central defence, Ibrahima Konate will partner with captain Virgil van Dijk. In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch will provide stability and control. Harvey Elliott is likely to take on the role of attacking midfielder, aiming to create chances for his teammates. On the flanks, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will offer flair and goal threat, while Diogo Jota is expected to spearhead the attack as the central striker. Crystal Palace are expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Dean Henderson between the posts. The back three will consist of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guehi. On the flanks, Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell are set to operate as wing-backs, providing support in both attack and defence. In midfield, Will Hughes and Daichi Kamada will offer a balance of creativity and defensive discipline. Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr will take on advanced roles, tasked with driving the attack and linking up with forward Jean-Philippe Mateta in the final third. When and Where The English Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace will be played at Anfield, Liverpool, England, on Sunday, May 25, at 4 PM BST/11 AM ET and 8:30 PM IST. How to Watch Fans in the United States can watch the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Premier League match live on NBC, Peacock, and USA Network. Fans in the United Kingdom can watch the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Premier League match live on Sky Sports, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Ultra HD How to Live Stream Fans in the United States, can watch the live streaming of the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Premier League match on FuboTV, DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV. Fans in United Kingdom can watch the live streaming of the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Premier League match on Sky Go UK, NOW TV and SKY GO Extra. Fans can watch the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Premier League match live streaming in India on Disney+ Hotstar.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Conor Bradley points to family sacrifices as he prepares to lift Premier League trophy
Conor Bradley reflected on the sacrifices his family have made on his "long journey" to become a Premier League winner. Bradley will finally get his hands on the trophy following Liverpool's final game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The scale of the achievement is not lost on the 21-year-old as he has made his way from Aghyaran to the pinnacle of English football. READ MORE: Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside to give up season ticket after 28 years following seat relocation issue READ MORE: Conor Bradley's driving factor at Liverpool will see him embrace the challenge next season says Michael O'Neill "It will mean a lot," Bradley told when asked how he will feel during the presentation at Anfield. "I've worked quite hard to get to this position I'm in now. "So to be a part of the team and to have helped the team along the way to get this far and to get the Premier League trophy is very special. "So to get my hands on it and get a medal around my neck will be so good. I've been counting down the days until Sunday and what will be such a special day for the club. To be able to celebrate with our fans is going to be so good." "Even being so young, my mum and dad would have made so many sacrifices, just bringing me to training every week. "As some people back home might know, I lived in the middle of nowhere, so getting to places like Belfast is not close. My mum and dad would've had to drive an hour-and-a-half to take me to places. I owe a lot to them for where I am now. "People like my sister as well had to give up a lot because my mum and dad were always away with me, taking me to football, and probably she didn't get as much care as what I did. "And then obviously my girlfriend as well has always been there for me and helped me in whatever I need. "When I get back from a game if we lost or I didn't play well, I'm probably grumpy and she probably hates me for a bit. Obviously the good times as well if I played well, she's just always there for me. "It's been a long journey and I'm just really happy we've got to this point." It won't be the end of the celebrations for Bradley and the Reds as the party will continue on to the Bank Holiday on Monday as Arne Slot's squad will make their way around a 15km route in Liverpool cheered on by their adoring fans. "I was part of the parade back in 2022 for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and we just missed out on the Champions League, and it was crazy," recalled Bradley. "So I can't even imagine what it's going to be like on Monday. Really looking forward to it and just the whole occasion of it."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
O'Neill 'desperate' for NI players to reach top flight
"Game time is a challenge. It's always been a little bit of a challenge for Northern Ireland squads."Since Michael O'Neill's return as Northern Ireland manager in 2022, when he inherited a much younger squad than the one he had taken to Euro 2016 during his first stint, he has consistently stressed the need for his players to be playing as often as possible at as high a level as such, the final weekend of the domestic seasons in England and Scotland could prove important for his international the likes of Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley and Dale Taylor are on the books of Premier League teams, with that trio having spent the season on loan in League One, just two players in O'Neill's 26-man squad for friendlies against Denmark and Iceland next month featured in England's top tier this season. Liverpool's Conor Bradley picked up a Premier League winners' medal, with Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny doing likewise in the FA citing the challenging experience of facing Alexander Isak in defeat by Sweden in March, O'Neill knows regular exposure to such talents would be hugely beneficial. "In the past, we would have had more players playing their club football at a higher level," he said."If you look back to the team that went to the Euros, there was probably maybe as many as six, seven, eight players playing at Premier League level and had played at that level for quite a number of years, most of their career, if not all of their career."This group are not there yet, let's be honest, and they're playing their club football at a slightly lower level." That could change for two of his panel on Saturday with key defenders Dan Ballard and Trai Hume involved in the Championship play-off for Sunderland against Sheffield United at came through the ranks at Arsenal but did not feature for the club before moving to the Stadium of Light in 2022, while Trai Hume took a different path to the Black Cats, playing more than 50 games in the Irish League. O'Neill said he is "desperate" for Sunderland to achieve promotion, believing the pair are capable of playing Premier League football."I think sometimes we maybe underestimate our players in that situation. I do believe they are," he said of their ability to step up a division. "There would be a lot of clubs aware of how consistent they have been in the Championship, and we have seen other players step up from the Championship and do well in the Premier League, but it is a challenge. "Sometimes I think you are better going up with a team than being bought into a club. If you go up in that situation, as Sunderland may do, then you are already well-established at the club and they are first-choice players, which is important as well."That game will not be the only one for O'Neill to monitor with Ethan Galbraith and on-loan Tottenham forward Jamie Donley set to feature in the League One play-off final for Leyton Orient on Hale's penalty for Ross County also ensured his side will go into the second leg of their Scottish Premiership play-off with Livingston on Monday with the scores level. The two most experienced players in Northern Ireland's squad for next month's games are the 30-year-old Paddy McNair, now playing for San Diego FC, and George Saville, 31, of Millwall. In what is a young squad, but one that has been on an upward trajectory with Nations League promotion secured in November, O'Neill feels his players are at similar points in their international and club careers."I do think that the squad is progressing in two ways, it can progress when it comes in and works together as a squad and they can progress when they go back to their clubs," he said. "I think that this squad is still probably a few years away from really where it needs to be in terms of where the players will be in their club situations and also where they will be in their international careers."But I think that for us to progress and take steps forward as a nation, this group of players will be together for a long time and hopefully they can emulate some of the achievements of that previous group."
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Conor Bradley can deal with fresh competition at Liverpool, says Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill has backed Conor Bradley to continue his progress at Liverpool even as he is likely to face fresh competition for a place following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. O'Neill has welcomed Bradley back into his Northern Ireland squad for the friendlies against Denmark and Iceland after the 21-year-old missed the March fixtures through injury, and Bradley will join up as the first Northern Ireland player to pick up a Premier League winners' medal since Jonny Evans in 2013. Bradley took on a growing role in Arne Slot's side this season, making 28 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions despite some injury setbacks as he competed with Alexander-Arnold for the right-back spot. With Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid this summer Liverpool are close to signing Jeremie Frimpong as his replacement, but O'Neill said Bradley – who has signed a new four-year contract at Anfield – can face any challenge. 'You're not going to play at a club like Liverpool and not have a challenge for your position,' O'Neill told the PA news agency. 'The difference will be when Conor was a young player coming through he had to challenge an experienced player who had really established himself with a very successful and brilliant career and was a local hero. That's as tough as it gets in terms of trying to dislodge someone. 'So whatever Liverpool do in terms of recruitment it will be different because a player coming in will not be established in the way Alexander-Arnold was and Conor's already proven he can do the job… 'I think he's ready for whatever the challenge may be.' Bradley is not the only Northern Ireland player to be celebrating a major trophy this season, with Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny lifting the FA Cup after being an unused substitute in the final against Manchester City last weekend. 'You want your players to grow, not only in how they play but how they are in terms of their personalities and the influence they have as well,' O'Neill add. 'Conor is an influential player in our group already but he comes in having been part of a championship-winning team at Liverpool so he's going to have the experience now from that. It's fabulous for him to have that. 'It's part of his progression and journey as a player and we benefit from that because he grows as a player. And we have Justin as well, he's part of an FA Cup-winning team and squad, and hopefully he feels the same way when he comes in.' As O'Neill prepares for Northern Ireland's friendly away to Denmark on June 7 and the meeting with Iceland in Belfast three days later, Bradley returns to the squad alongside Sunderland pair Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume, as well as Ali McCann and Dion Charles. Ciaron Brown, Eoin Toal, Ross McCausland, Jordan Thompson and Josh Magennis miss out through injury, but O'Neill believes his squad is in better shape than it was in March as they go into the final warm-up games before the World Cup qualifying campaign begins in September. 'We're still missing one or two through injury, but I think overall we look a little bit stronger than we did in March,' he said.
