‘Incredible’: Brilliant Bradley leads Liverpool’s rout of Chelsea

Conor Bradley had the Anfield crowd singing his name after a goal and two assists in an electric performance as Liverpool laid down their title credentials with a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea on Wednesday that manager Juergen Klopp called outstanding.

“I don't think you can have an outstanding team performance when the individuals don't work together,” Klopp told the BBC. “The start was brilliant, we were really going for them. We were outstanding, it was a top game.

“We could have scored and should have scored more goals. You cannot score five, six goals against Chelsea if you are not outstanding.”

Liverpool moved five points clear atop the Premier League to set up a potential thriller on Sunday against third-placed Arsenal.

Liverpool have 51 points after 22 games, while Manchester City and Arsenal both have 46, with City having a game in hand.

“It's so clear they were much better than us. We lost every single duel. Every time we recovered the ball after one or two touches we lost it,” Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino told TNT Sports.

Twenty-year-old Bradley's goal was his first for Liverpool but was not a complete surprise as the Northern Ireland youngster has been excellent at right-back since replacing injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. He earned a rousing standing ovation and huge hug from Klopp when he was substituted.

“Incredible. Wonderful. He's flying at the moment,” Klopp said. “Rightly so. He's working hard and is a good footballer. He's helped us so much it's incredible.

“Quite a few people said we need a right-back in the summer but we were very positive about Conor.

“All the injuries we have, we can't string these results together if these boys don't show up.”

Darwin Nunez was relentless in attack, but hit the post with a first-half penalty, and had numerous other near-misses. The Uruguayan became the first player since 2003-04 to hit the woodwork four times in a Premier League match.

“He was really disappointed with himself about missing the penalty but he is a handful,” Klopp told the BBC.

“It was really hard for him. Then he headed against the crossbar. He sets up a goal even after the huge disappointment. That's the most important thing.

“He is in outstanding shape, still a bit unlucky so it's all fine.”

Former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer had a similar sentiment, telling the BBC's Match of the Day,

“Darwin Nunez does not stop getting in behind. I like his perseverance and that is why he will definitely score goals.” 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Burnley counterpart Vincent Kompany after Manchester City's 3-1 victory on Wednesday, suggesting the latter will one day be in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Two goals by birthday boy Julian Alvarez and a Rodri strike gave City a comfortable win as they welcomed Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones back into the starting line-up, and had striker Erling Haaland on the pitch in the second half after missing the last 10 games with injury.

City are second in the Premier League table, five points behind Liverpool with a game in hand.

There was a tribute to Burnley manager Kompany before the match in recognition of the former City defender’s 11-year stay at the club during which he made 360 appearances.

"Vinny sooner or later will finish here," Guardiola said. "I have the feeling he will finish here.

"He is already a big manager, what he did last season with Burnley. You can see the ideas they have, the way they try to defend. I like what he does."

City were never troubled despite a late consolation goal for Burnley's Ameen Al Dakhil.

"Today the game was not close," Guardiola said. "There are games with this score that feel closer, this was not. We had players who have less control than usual, we had more runners, more speed.

"Burnley is not an easy team to face, they never give up. Today, we won because of the quality of players we have, not because we controlled everything or where better at all aspects."

The return of De Bruyne to the starting side for the first time since the opening day of the season, ironically also against Burnley, was welcomed by Guardiola.

"It's a long time, five months, he didn't play. He comes back with energy. He played really, really good. Him and Erling are going to help us in this part of the season," the manager said.

Reuters