Liverpool defender Conor Bradley may not be a regular under Arne Slot, but he certainly has a key role to play this season.

Bradley could be a future Liverpool captain, with the right-back having already worn the armband for his nation aged just 21.

He captained Northern Ireland in their goalless draw with Belarus on Saturday, with Bradley set to continue his leadership role against Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Former Everton midfielder Isaac Price has praised Bradley, with the duo teammates together at international level.

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The Liverpool right-back has played second fiddle to Trent Alexander-Arnold under Slot this season, but has often come in for the England star when he needs a break.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

That scenario at Anfield is likely to continue in the months to come, but Bradley is still likely to secure plenty of starting spots given the need to rotate.

As quoted by BBC Sport, the full-back has now revealed just how much of a role Liverpool teammate and fellow captain Virgil van Dijk is playing in his development.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth

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“He’s always one of the best players in training every day and that’s something I aspire to be,” said Bradley.

“How he conducts himself every day, how he leads by example, Virgil is quite a role model.”

Bradley has had to be patient for playing time under Slot, with the 21-year-old featuring for just 169 minutes so far.

But he has featured across the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup, with Slot clearly a fan of the right-back.

There is, of course, the real possibility that the right-back spot will be up for grabs next season, with Alexander-Arnold’s contract set to expire.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold from his girlfriend to net worth

A new deal has yet to be announced, with Bradley perhaps being eased into replacing the current first-choice.

The duo undoubtedly have plenty of similarities, with both Bradley and Alexander-Arnold major threats going forward.

Importantly, the Northern Ireland captain is only going to get better as he continues to train alongside legendary figure Van Dijk.

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