Will Conor Bradley be the next Liverpool superstar?

If you didn't steal a glance at Mauricio Pochettino's pallid countenance just before the half-time whistle, the Chelsea manager's decision to make three substitutions at the start of the second half spoke volumes about his assessment of the first 45 minutes.

There is no denying that Liverpool had run rampant, and they could have easily been up 3-0 before the break if Darwin Nunez hadn't struck the woodwork an astonishing four times, setting a new Premier League record. Following their dominant 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in their previous league encounter, Liverpool once again put on a display of confidence and authority, ruthlessly thrashing Chelsea 4-1.  

For the Reds, this result proved to be a perfect outcome, as it not only helped them maintain their lead at the top of the league but also served as a tremendous confidence boost ahead of their forthcoming League Cup final against Chelsea again on February 25. 

However, the spotlight of the night truly belonged to Conor Bradley. The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international once again rose to the occasion, delivering a masterclass that will be reminisced about for a long time.  

With a remarkable goal in only his second Premier League appearance and two assists to his name, Bradley left the pitch under a thunderous standing ovation, having thoroughly humiliated a lackluster Chelsea side. The echoes of his name resonated throughout Anfield, a testament to the well-earned recognition he garnered on this memorable outing.

Jurgen Klopp's astute decision to keep Bradley on the pitch instead of reinstating the fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold exemplified his managerial acumen. It was a display of faith that propelled the young defender to surpass the heights he had previously reached. Bradley kicked off his exceptional night by creating the first opportunity for Nunez, but Djordje Petrovic anticipated the attempted lob. 

But the Chelsea goalkeeper was sorely let down by his central defenders when the hosts seized the lead. Ben Chilwell, in particular, was culpable for losing possession weakly to Bradley. The defender swiftly exchanged passes with Jones and found Diogo Jota, who showcased immense persistence in breaking through the defensive line to delicately poke a smart finish beyond Petrovic's reach.

Bradley's evening continued to flourish as he finally reaped the rewards for his sensational performances of late. Bursting into the box from the right flank, he unleashed a powerful drive that found its way into the far corner, giving him the goal he so rightfully deserved.  

Bradley's influence didn't stop there. He extended his astonishing tally to five assists in just four appearances by leaving Benoit Badiashile in his wake and sending an impeccable cross into the penalty area. Dominik Szoboszlai leapt above the Chelsea defense, heading the ball home with precision. Although Christopher Nkunku managed to salvage a consolation goal for the visitors, Luis Diaz sealed the deal with a late, close-range strike.

At the end of the day, Bradley made history as the first Northern Irishman to score for Liverpool in 70 years, and he also became the youngest player to provide two assists in a single league game. With four assists in as many games for Liverpool, including two in the recent FA Cup victory over Norwich, Bradley's impact cannot be overlooked.  

Against Chelsea, the dynamic right-back exhibited his immense talent by winning seven duels and three tackles, while also delivering two pinpoint crosses and four key passes. His performance not only highlighted Liverpool's promising future but also their exhilarating present.  

In stark contrast, Chelsea looked woefully poor, especially in the first half where they were utterly outclassed. Such an abysmal display raises doubts about Pochettino's ability to turn things around for the struggling team.

The possibility of a victory at Anfield seemed remote from the start, but Chelsea will certainly feel hard done by as a couple of penalty decisions went against them, which could have potentially made the contest more closely fought. 

Initially, their appeals for a penalty were dismissed when Conor Gallagher went down in the box under pressure from Virgil van Dijk. Later on, Van Dijk seemed to make contact with Nkunku inside the box, yet once again, the appeals were waved away.  

Nkunku's goal provided a rare moment of positivity for the visitors upon his return from injury, but ultimately, they could only bear witness to the emergence of a new superstar in the Liverpool ranks.