Liverpool have successfully made quiet change as Jurgen Klopp handed three first team options

It was once the decision that usually signalled the end of a fledgling Liverpool career almost before it had even started.

But Conor Bradley will hope he is the latest example of a subtle shift in trend from which the Reds are now starting to reap rewards.

Bradley built on his encouraging cameo from the bench in the FA Cup third round win at Arsenal three days earlier by claiming the man of the match award in the League Cup semi-final first leg triumph over Fulham last Wednesday.

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The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international, deputising for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the inverted right-back role, was making only his fifth start for Liverpool, a number that would have been significantly greater but for a back injury that ruled him out of the first four months of the campaign.

But featuring in high-pressure games was nothing new for Bradley having spent the previous season at Bolton Wanderers, who reached the League One play-off semi-finals and claimed the EFL Trophy with a 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in front of almost 80,000 at Wembley.

Bradley made 53 appearances for the Trotters - all bar five as a starter - playing primarily as a right wing-back, contributing an impressive seven goals and six assists. His loan spell helped prepare him for being thrown in at the deep end at Liverpool.

While that hasn't always been the case for the Reds, there is further evidence of the value of temporary moves. Indeed, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah, both of whom have featured regularly this season, became primarily first-team squad members following experience gained at