Liverpool star EXCELS in Ballon d'Or audition

Liverpool have been absolutely magnificent in each of their last two games.

The 2-0 victory over Aston Villa was followed by a 1-0 win over Real Madrid, with both games taking place at Anfield. Prior to this past week, the Reds had lost six of their last seven in all competitions.

Not only has attack managed to click, with chances starting to be put away, but the defence has improved massively. The forward press is well organised, as is the deep block used to stay compact.

One player in particular who has delivered sensational performances across the two games is Conor Bradley at right-back, an area of the pitch that has been a major problem for Arne Slot this season.

Bradley a low-key shout for the Ballon d'Or?

To make this clear straight away, we're talking theoretically here, on the basis that Nuno Mendes featured high up in the rankings last year. It's not implausible that a full-back could have a chance.

Last season, the Reds' beat Real Madrid at Anfield with a 2-0 scoreline, and worries about Bradley were misguided since he produced a masterclass that most Liverpool fans will struggle to forget.

In that game, Liverpool created a whopping 2.73xg from six big chances and seven shots on target, but none of that would have mattered unless Bradley played his role. Kylian Mbappe was attacking his side and the Irishman hardly gave him a sniff, winning two of his four tackles, and eight of his 13 duels, in addition to assisting Alexis Mac Allister's opener. It was an all-round masterclass.

Just short of 12 months later, Madrid came knocking at Anfield once again and the right-back charged with defending Vinicius Junior this time around was Bradley, since Mbappe had been moved to a more central role. Even though he faced a different profile this time around, nothing changed.

Last night, he won all three tackles he made, eight of his 14 duels, seven recoveries, three successful dribbles and a key pass. Real Madrid mustered just 0.45xg throughout the entire evening, with none coming from Vinicius, although the Brazilian did manage to create four chances, which led to nothing.

In response, the Reds had 2.58xg from four big chances, with nine shots on target. It was the kind of attacking display we've seen from Liverpool all season, although this time, the defence held up.

Suggestions that Bradley deserves the Ballon d'Or are nonsensical, as already mentioned. But he was given a 9/10 for his performance from Liverpool World, and both Mbappe and Vinicius are often considered as the main contenders for the prestigious award. Bradley's now pocketed both of them.

One former Liverpool star previously claimed that his dream was to win the Ballon d'Or as a right-back - that of course was Trent Alexander-Arnold, now at Real Madrid. We all know it's never going to happen, but if it ever were, his previous understudy on Merseyside would have a far superior chance at pulling off the feat than the Englishman now has, which is a fun way to look at it all.

Bradley's performance levels need to stay as high as they are now, because otherwise we'll start to see the team become vulnerable again. And let's not forget the underlying context behind the Reds', which is the long-balls and long throw-ins that have creeped into the Premier League. Fortunately, we've not seen those tactics used in recent games, but we can still be quite easily found out.

Nonetheless, a marker has been laid down and we have to make use of it. Next up on Liverpool's schedule? A trip to the Etihad stadium to face Manchester City. Few bigger challenges right now.

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