Klopp on Bradley: 'The best place for him to be is around his family, that is where we sent him'

20-year-old Liverpool right-back Bradley's father has sadly passed away in Tyrone. 

Liverpool's Northern Irish star Conor Bradley.

Liverpool have issued a statement in support of their young right-back Conor Bradley following the sad passing of his father, Joe.

Bradley's father passed away at home in Tyrone on Saturday following a battle with illness. 

"Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the death of Conor Bradley's father, Joe," a club statement read.

"The thoughts of everybody at the club are with Conor and all of the Bradley family at this very difficult and sad time.

"On behalf of Conor, LFC strongly urges that the family's privacy is fully respected at this time."

Bradley Sr, 58, had seen his footballer son break into Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side in recent weeks, with the 20-year-old putting in man-of-the-match performances against both Norwich in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the Premier League recently. 

The Northern Ireland international missed the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday and speaking to Sky Sports shortly before kick-off, Klopp was asked if his job now was to give Conor the time and space that he need.

"Yeah, all of us, pretty much, we try to do that immediately," he began.

"I think the best place for him to be is now around his family, that is where we sent him immediately, where he went immediately. Very sad news and, yeah, really not a lot more to say about it.

"I told him to take your time, as much as you need, that's clear and then we will see what the next days bring. But he is where he has to be now, with his family."