It was the moment that lit the fuse at Anfield.

Kylian Mbappe had run away from Alexis Mac Allister on the left as Real Madrid launched a rapid counter-attack just after the half-hour mark.

The danger was clear, but a fearless young Northern Irishman with no regard for great reputations took control. Conor Bradley burst over and made a tough tackle just outside the penalty area.

It was a perfect example of timing and controlled aggression. As Mbappe was unceremoniously thrown to the turf and Bradley emerged victorious with the ball at his feet, Anfield roared its approval.

One of the best tackles you will see from Conor Bradley against Kylian Mbappé ⛔ pic.twitter.com/Ucn29ejXPn

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024

Not even goals from Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo in Liverpool’s 2-0 win sparked such a loud reaction.

This was the biggest test of Bradley’s career and he passed it with flying colors, helping Liverpool beat Real Madrid for the first time since 2009 and maintain their 100 percent record in the Champions League.

Bradley was impressive defensively and ensured it was a miserable night for Mbappe, but the 21-year-old right-back also made a notable impression in attack. He saw Thibaut Courtois deftly save a header before setting up Mac Allister’s goal.

The Kop repeatedly chanted Bradley’s name before giving him a standing ovation when he was substituted late on after feeling tightness in his Achilles tendon.

“It’s nice for Conor, his family, for us, but it’s also very nice for the academy that a player who came through the ranks did so well,” said Arne Slot.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all that he is doing so well because he showed that last season and this season in training and in games.”

Bradley completed 41 of his 49 passes (84 percent) and won eight of his 12 duels (67 percent). He also won the ball nine times – more than anyone else on the pitch.

“Conor was excellent,” fellow full-back Andy Robertson told LFCTV. “He’s had to be patient this season but it was a big game and he’s stepped up.

“Different class. I’m not sure what happened when he was substituted but hopefully he’s okay because he’s a really important player. The loudest cheer was when Conor made the big tackle in the first half.”

With Trent Alexander-Arnold recovering from injury, Bradley is unlikely to start against Manchester City on Sunday even if he is fit, but this was a timely reminder of his abilities.

Having made 23 appearances in all competitions in the 2023/24 season and received high praise, Bradley’s game time has been more limited in slot. Alexander-Arnold had featured in every Premier League and Champions League game before suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa this month. Liverpool are lucky to have such a high-profile deputy.

If Alexander-Arnold decides to move to Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season, it would be a bitter pill to swallow. The club’s homegrown vice-captain is a generational talent, worth £100 million ($126 million). No one else in Europe has such extensive skills in this role. Liverpool are still hoping he will push through an extension.

However, if an agreement cannot be reached, Bradley, waiting in the wings, softens the blow.

Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher were also instrumental in beating the European champions on Tuesday, making the evening a memorable one for Liverpool’s academy.

Jones, who was involved in the opening goal and completed 55 of his 59 passes (93 percent), was the pick of the featured England midfielders as he outshone Jude Bellingham with his swagger in possession. Slot’s decision to play the 23-year-old Jones ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai was rewarded.

As for Kelleher, the way he has represented Alisson in recent months has been remarkable. The Republic of Ireland international has now saved three of the four penalties he has taken for Liverpool in all competitions (excluding shootouts) after lunging full-length to his left to keep out Mbappe’s spot-kick.

The 26-year-old Kelleher has also won more penalty shootouts (four) than any other goalkeeper in the club’s history.

“I thought Caoimhin was getting a bit bored so I thought I might as well give my mate something to do,” joked Robertson, who brought down Lucas Vazquez in the penalty area as the hosts led 1-0.

“Fortunately this mistake was not penalized and we managed to make amends and continue. Caoimhin was sensational. A phenomenal goalkeeper. We are very blessed to have two absolutely world-class goalkeepers. “World class” gets thrown around quite a bit, but I don’t think it’s wrong to say that Caoimhin is right up there.

“The biggest compliment you can give him is that you don’t notice that Alisson is missing – and Alisson is the best in the world. “He did incredible things for us while Alisson was out.”

Slot won’t bench Alisson when he returns soon, but it doesn’t feel right for Kelleher to lose his place.

“Every decision I have to make is difficult because we have so many good players,” Slot said. “I have made this situation clear, but tonight should not be about that. It should be about Caoimhin being so important. It (the penalty saved) was a special moment for him, so that should be the headlines.”

After suffering so much at Real Madrid during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, this was a sweet and impressive triumph.

Such was Liverpool’s dominance that the visitors only had one shot on goal at the start of stoppage time, thanks to a saved penalty from Mbappé.

Slot’s team has defeated AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, German champions Bayer Leverkusen and Spanish champions Real Madrid, conceding one goal in the process.

With 17 wins out of 19 in all competitions, they look down on the rest domestically and in Europe. Claiming such a scalp represents the perfect preparation for welcoming a wounded Manchester City to Anfield.

The momentum and belief continue to increase. An unforgettable evening was heralded by an impressive, unforgettable challenge.

(Top photo: Bradley throws Mbappe to the ground, wins the ball and so on; Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)