Liverpool's Premier League stalemate with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night was marred by a significant injury blow, with young defender Conor Bradley suffering a serious-looking problem.
Bradley's Agonising Exit Mars Goalless Draw
The right-back collapsed in clear distress while sprinting to clear a loose ball during the match, which ended 0-0. He was seen clutching his leg and hammering the ground in pain before being stretchered from the pitch. The incident was compounded by Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli's decision to push the stricken player off the playing surface, an act labelled 'disgraceful' by Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
Post-match, a concerned Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted he feared the worst. "I'm afraid that another injury has come up today, let's hope for the best, but I fear the worst for Conor Bradley," Slot told Sky Sports. The defender's situation looked grave as he was later spotted leaving the Emirates Stadium on crutches.
Liverpool's Mounting Injury List Ahead of Barnsley Clash
Bradley's setback exacerbates an already considerable injury crisis at Anfield. The club now faces an anxious wait for scan results to determine the full extent of the issue, with Slot acknowledging the defender's chances of featuring in Monday's FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley appear slim.
The Reds' treatment room remains crowded. Striker Hugo Ekitike missed the Arsenal clash with a minor hamstring issue but could return for the Premier League meeting with Burnley on January 17th. Meanwhile, summer signing Alexander Isak is facing a lengthy absence until around March 2026 after undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula.
Other long-term absentees include midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who is working his way back from hamstring surgery, and young Italian Giovanni Leoni, who is ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. Japanese international Wataru Endo is also sidelined with an ankle problem, with a return expected in late January or early February.
Premier League Standings and Fallout
The draw in North London leaves Liverpool fourth in the Premier League table on 35 points, now eight points behind the leading pair of Aston Villa and Manchester City. The focus now swiftly turns to cup competition, with Slot's squad needing to navigate their injury woes as they host Barnsley at Anfield on Monday evening in the FA Cup.
