Trent Alexander-Arnold who? Anfield erupts and fans rave as Conor Bradley's thumping tackle on Kylian Mbappe goes viral after Liverpool's Champions League win over Real Madrid

Conor Bradley sent Anfield into raptures on Wednesday night when he clattered into Kylian Mbappe with a fantastic challenge.

Bradley started at right back in the heavyweight Champions League clash, which saw Liverpool dominate the defending champions and come out on top 2-0 to continue their perfect start to the competition.

The Reds’ usual right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, was on the bench for the home side as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury that kept him out of England duty and the win over Southampton on Sunday.

But there he stayed, meaning the 26-year-old didn’t get a run out against the team who is targeting a move for him – and the team many expect him to join next season as his contract continues to run down.

Bradley, however, ensured he wasn’t missed with an impressive performance in defence at Anfield, dealing with both Mbappe and Jude Bellingham with ease.

And there was one particular moment that caught the eye during the first half of the game, with the Northern Irishman stepping up to the former World Cup winner and winning the ball brutally, but fairly, with a thumping challenge.

The Liverpool defender got the better of the Real Madrid forward in the Champions League clash

Mbappe had been fed the ball on the left and was leading a Madrid counter, with the Liverpool defence out of shape and players out of position.

Alexis Mac Allister, who scored the opening goal of the game for Liverpool, found himself in a foot race with Mbappe – one he would almost certainly lose with the forward looking to announce himself in the game after a tough start.

Bradley found himself covering centrally, with Andrew Robertson also back and the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch busting a gut to get back too.

And, potentially realising that Mac Allister was fighting a losing battle, Bradley took it upon himself to dash across the pitch and put in a sliding challenge on Mbappe, who was sent flying into the penalty area.

The ball was won fairly, however, with replays showing the 21-year-old’s right foot clearly winning the ball as Mbappe tried to cut inside him.

Bradley also got up to retrieve the ball and continue play, with Mbappe looking frustrated as he chased him in a bid to win it back.

Those inside Anfield broke into a loud cheer as the saw the youngster get the better of one of the best players in the world, with Ally McCoist saying on TNT Sports: ‘I think the rest of Anfield, like myself, got a little bit of a fright when they saw Mbappe running away initially.’

Fans also took to social media to sing the praises of Bradley, who may see a lot more action next season if Alexander-Arnold does leave the club.

Alexander-Arnold (pictured), who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, was an unused substitute in the tie

Reds boss Arne Slot (left) provided an update on Bradley’s fitness after the game after he went off with an injury

‘Conor Bradley, take a bow,’ on fan posted on X, formerly Twitter. ‘Incredible tackle on Mbappe.’

Another wrote: ‘That tackle from Conor Bradley had me standing and applauding.’

A third added: ‘That Bradley tackle on Mbappe is one of the best tackles at Anfield since Gerrard retired.’

Alexander-Arnold, who has been at Liverpool since he was a child, is around five weeks away from being able to agree a pre-contract deal with another club as his deal runs out in the summer.

He has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid, with it seeming he will either join the European champions or stay on at Liverpool.

Bradley, meanwhile, who signed a new long-term contract at the Reds a year ago, went off injured in the second half, replaced by Joe Gomez.

Reds boss Arne Slot gave an update on his situation post-game. When asked if he knew the extent of the injury, as well as that of Konate, the Dutchman replied: ‘No. Not yet. know where they have pain but it’s difficult to judge so close after the game.

‘This is what happens in the season. This happens. I’m really hoping both of them are available to play [Sunday] but if not, somebody else has to step up and so far everybody has stepped up so far this season.’