Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley has finally broken his silence after suffering a serious knee injury in Thursday’s goalless draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Scans have now revealed a significant meniscus tear, which is expected to sideline the 22-year-old for several months.
The injury occurred deep into stoppage time when Bradley went down in obvious pain near the touchline. What followed quickly became one of the most talked-about scenes of the weekend: Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli appeared to try to push Bradley off the field so play could restart, leading to a heated confrontation between both sets of players.
In an emotional statement posted online, Bradley didn’t hold back. According to his message, the forceful moment left him feeling disrespected — and he directly linked the clash to the severity of his injury.
Aftermath & Reactions
The incident has divided opinion across the football world, with pundits like Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville strongly criticising Martinelli’s conduct during the match.
Martinelli has since reached out to Bradley and publicly apologised, claiming he hadn’t realised how badly hurt the defender was in the moment.
Liverpool now face a mounting injury crisis, with Bradley’s absence adding to concerns already sparked by other key players missing due to AFCON and fitness issues.
The Football Association is reportedly reviewing the footage of the on-field scuffle, though any retrospective action may be limited given that Martinelli only received a yellow card at the time.
This latest blow comes as a huge setback for Liverpool, who were hoping to build momentum in a crucial part of the Premier League season. With Bradley ruled out long-term, the Reds’ defensive options will undoubtedly be tested in the weeks ahead.