Interview: Why this pre-season is the 'biggest' of Conor Bradley's career so far
Conor Bradley is determined to make the most of his chance to impress Jürgen Klopp this summer after his hugely successful loan at Bolton Wanderers.
The Northern Ireland international is part of Liverpool's 32-man squad in Germany for a pre-season training camp that also involves a pair of fixtures against Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth.
Bradley has returned to the Reds' set-up with a season's worth of senior experience under his belt, amassed during a fruitful spell in League One with Ian Evatt's Wanderers.
Speaking on Saturday after the team's first session in Baden-Württemberg, the full-back told Liverpoolfc.com: "Definitely the biggest [pre-season] of my career so far.
"Obviously I think every pre-season is going to be the biggest for me but I'm looking forward to this one and seeing how I get on.
"It just feels different to the last time I've been on pre-season. I'm fighting for a spot now, I want a spot in this squad. I'm looking to work hard and fight for that spot.
"I'd say I'm a far better player than last time I was here. I'm really looking forward to the pre-season and trying to show what I've got.
"It's been mad the last couple of years but I just want to keep working, keep going and see where it takes me."
Bradley made over 50 appearances for Bolton, scoring seven times, and lifted the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley, before narrowly missing out on promotion following defeat in a play-off semi-final.
The 20-year-old also enjoyed individual success by taking home three prizes at Bolton's end-of-season awards night – Supporters' Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year – to cap a campaign of growth for the Academy graduate.
"I couldn't have dreamed of the loan going that well," he reflected. "It was an incredible season and a big thank you to Bolton. I had a terrific time there and loved every minute of it.
"I think that was the main thing I wanted whenever I went on loan – I just wanted to play as many games as I could, and I did that.
"I nearly played every game that I could and stayed injury-free. I'll be looking to do something similar this year.
"I felt more comfortable with every game. In the first couple I was quite nervous, obviously it's different to youth football – playing men's football every week.
"I just grew in confidence every game and felt like I kept getting better and better and better. Hopefully I can build on that now in this pre-season."