Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed his grave concern for defender Conor Bradley, admitting he fears the worst after the young full-back sustained what appeared to be a serious injury in the closing stages of Thursday night's 0-0 Premier League draw with Arsenal.
Agony and Controversy at the Emirates
The distressing incident occurred in the dying moments of the match at the Emirates Stadium. Bradley cleared the ball forward but landed awkwardly, immediately clutching his left knee in agony as he hit the deck near the touchline. The situation escalated when Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, in a bid to get the game restarted, first threw the ball at the prone defender and then aggressively shoved him, attempting to roll him off the pitch.
This act triggered an angry melee, with Liverpool players including Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister rushing to confront Martinelli. The Arsenal player was booked for his actions, while Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate also received a yellow card. The incident drew stark criticism from Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
Slot's Post-Match Assessment and Squad Worries
Speaking after the final whistle, a concerned Arne Slot did not hold back his frustration or his anxiety for Bradley's condition. "I think if a player of ours is on the floor, people might know by now that 100 out of 100 times there is something wrong with the player," Slot stated. "You don't like to see a player moved if he might have such a big injury. We don't know yet. I am afraid another injury have come up today. Let's hope for the best but I fear the worst for Conor Bradley."
The defender's situation looked bleak as he was stretchered from the field and later seen leaving the stadium on crutches and wearing a knee brace, awaiting further medical assessment. The injury comes at a terrible time for Liverpool, who are already stretched defensively following a failed deadline-day move for Marc Guehi and existing injuries.
Pundit Fury and Liverpool's Upcoming Fixture Crunch
The fallout from Martinelli's actions was immediate. Gary Neville did not mince his words in the commentary box, branding the Brazilian an "idiot" and stating his actions were "so poor" and "absolutely disgraceful." Neville expressed surprise that Liverpool players had not reacted more violently, suggesting an apology was necessary.
For Liverpool, the potential long-term loss of Bradley is a significant blow. With Mohamed Salah still at the Africa Cup of Nations, Bradley had become a crucial figure at right-back. His likely absence now leaves Slot's resources critically thin as the club faces a relentless schedule. Liverpool have six games remaining this month, including the restart of their Champions League campaign and key Premier League fixtures against Burnley and Bournemouth, following this weekend's FA Cup tie with Barnsley.
