ReactionConor Bradley: It's getting closer but we have to keep on working
Conor Bradley knows there is still work to do for Liverpool to become Premier League champions.
The Reds are now only two wins away from securing the title after Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Anfield, which was secured with an 89th-minute goal by captain Virgil van Dijk, moved them 13 points clear at the top of the table.
The coronation of Arne Slot’s squad could even arrive as early as Sunday as the trophy will be theirs if they beat Leicester City and Arsenal lose to Ipswich Town at Portman Road earlier in the day.
Bradley made his first start since February against the Hammers, who equalised Luis Diaz’s early opener in the 86th minute via an unfortunate Andy Robertson own goal.
Post-match, the Northern Ireland international told Liverpoolfc.com: “It was a difficult second half. I think the lads had to stick together and we’re glad we did that. It’s brilliant to get the three points.
“I thought the first half was really good. I thought we created loads of chances, we were playing some really good football and then second half we just sort of sat off a bit and allowed them to have more control of the game and things like that happen whenever you are in a title race, so it was good to get the three points.
“You can’t control the game for 90 minutes in every football match, it’s impossible, so sometimes you’ve got to ride your luck, sometimes you’ve got to defend well and I thought we did that today.
“It’s getting closer. Obviously it’s still another two wins away so we’ve just got to keep working and finish the season as strong as we can… we’ve just got to keep our heads down and keep going.”
Alisson Becker also returned to Liverpool’s starting XI after a two-match absence and produced a brilliant performance that included several outstanding saves.
Bradley said: “He’s a wonderful goalkeeper, the best in the world in my opinion, and we are so happy to have him behind us.
“If I get beat one-v-one or something, it’s so good to know he’s behind me because he can pull me out of jail. He’s brilliant.”
Bradley was off the pitch before the late drama as Slot substituted him midway through the second half.
He added: “I was gutted when they scored their equaliser but I looked at the clock and there was still a good few minutes left so I thought there was still time.
“And then once they scored we just started pressing them again and we kept them in their half. Then we had the chance with Lucho [Diaz] and then obviously Virgil had [scored from] the corner, so it was brilliant.”