When Fernando Torres stood on the touchline, managing Atletico Madrid's U19 against Liverpool, he didn't know, but he watched the kid lean to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It's not frustration when he beats and gestures from the canoe - it's recognition. His attention is not a striker or a playmaker. That was Liverpool's right-back.
“Torres was just folding his arms and shaking his head and everything Connor did,” recalls Aidy Laird, the first to discover young Connor Bradley Sky movement.
"I was sitting in the stands and Torres was watching Conor ride the players at his pace, picking the pass, knowing when to back down, move forward, and when to fit in the middle. He was just a natural one."
That game tells you everything about Bradley, the 21-year-old is ready to play a bigger role after Alexander-Arnold leaves, and his next chance arrives at Brighton Monday night football.
Bradley signed a new long-term Liverpool deal with a chance to take his own position, but it is not surprising for those who know him.
Laird is a local coach and referee, first meeting him in the youth competition he happened to host.
"I met Joe McCree in a training course and said, 'Joe, I think I have a guy that fits the bill." Joe asked, "How old?" I said, "Nine or 10-but I tell you, there's something special here."
"Something" is more than just primitive ability. "His second touch always comes from his first," Laird continued. "He already knows what's going to happen next. It's instinct. consciousness. I know he'll keep doing big things."
Bradley's rise began in North Ereland, and he was impressed by his former club, Dungannon United Youth.
Coach Dixie Robinson still remembers the day he arrived. "He fell from Castlederg when he was about 11 years old. We've heard a lot about him," Robinson said.
"We didn't get him for the trip at first. But we kept in touch with his mom Linda and eventually got him back to U14."
I think Bradley - what he's done on Liverpool shirts so far - is worth mentioning our right back.
His work rate immediately stood out. "His attitude and work ethics are amazing," Robinson continued. "I remember we had only one goalkeeper. Conner rushed to the goal and threw himself at the target. He was just passionate about everything."
This enthusiasm is infectious - and is supported by quality. "He's infectious," Robinson added. "He can score goals, press, recover and defend.
"I honestly didn't see him being a right-back because of his burden and burden scoring. But he's such a coach, so rooted. He puts his position in his position."
Laird watched the transformation happen. “When Connor played local football, was his goal for kickoff or on it.
When he competed in professional games, Bradley would later be on loan at Bolton Rangers, playing 53 games, scoring seven times, Player of the Year and Player of the Year Awards.
He returned to Liverpool and was impressed in his first team season, facing Chelsea 27 times and winning the Calaba Cup.
His Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill is completely convinced that he can fill Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold-shaped hole in defense.
"Yes, I don't worry about Conor's mindset at all, to be honest. This is what he has, and it's one of the least things you care about." Sky movement.
“The only concern for me is that he was somewhat unfortunate for his own injury.
“I think Conor shows that he has the ability to play at that level, and plays with teams that are capable of that ability.
"They are a team and are currently performing high in any team in Europe. I don't think people have even seen the best Connor."
What he needs now is rhythm. O'Neal continued: "When he had the opportunity to play 10, 15, 20 consecutive games at Liverpool, his real-time judgment was that he had not been to Trent for it."
"But when Trent may not be able to get hurt, Conor also tends to get hurt. So it's very frustrating for him."
Asked to compare Bradley to Alexander Arnold, O'Neal knew it well. "Obviously, his attacking assets with Trent are another type of player. Conor's attacking assets are his running ability.
“When he plays, he plays great games inside Mo Salah. He can also play outside and play outside. He tends to go into the advanced area of Bitt to cross the ball, but then Trent can cross the ball and play from deeper areas.
"For us, he plays all kinds of positions. He can play wings, he can play right back. We're more advanced in games in more offensive areas and he's doing well in that position. I think in our team, he can certainly be a midfielder on the right, and he can be like a right midfielder.
"I want to say that Connor may prefer to defend. He is more aggressive in defense. But, in terms of level, I think he is at the highest level right now. Once you get there, you get a few minutes. It's a challenge."
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O'Neal added: "In a club like Liverpool, you have to expect that. I don't think he's worried about the game at all. He's a player and I still think people haven't seen the best place in Conor yet.
"But Connor takes role models as an example. I also think the benefit of him is that when things may not go their own way in the game, he has his own mindset to play in those tough times."
Those who watched him grow up agreed with O'Neal and he would play. Connor would say, “If someone comes to him and says, ‘We’re taking him (his place)’, Connor would say, ‘Well, then I have to step up again.’
"He's not arrogant - he's determined. He's a team player."
Robinson agreed. “He has been traveling to Liverpool since he was 11. He puts the work in and keeps it rooted. I think that’s what makes him special.
"His family has been taking care of him and making sure he wasn't taken too much. Linda and Joe did an amazing job at Conor. He's now a world-class class. It's amazing to see the kids coming in with the 'Bradley 84' behind the shirt."
When Liverpool handed Bradley to Bradley this month, that confirmed what many people have seen.
"I'm very proud to sign another contract," Bradley said over the weekend. "I'm so happy to see the next step in our journey together. You have to keep your head down and keep working hard."
Now, with Alexander-Arnold gone, the path is clear, Bradley's moment is not just here - it's here.
And, if you see the people who see it first, they will tell you the same thing: You just know.
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