Liverpool defender Conor Bradley has been ruled out for the rest of the season following a significant knee injury sustained in Thursday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
The 22-year-old full-back, who is also a Northern Ireland international, will undergo surgery in the coming days to repair damage to bone and ligaments in his left knee. Thankfully, scans have confirmed that the injury does not involve his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Bradley went down in stoppage time at Emirates Stadium after an awkward landing while chasing the ball near the touchline. He was immediately stretchered off the pitch, prompting concern from Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who admitted the club initially “feared the worst.” The injury is a major blow for Liverpool, who have already been dealing with the long-term absence of teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni due to an ACL tear this season.
The incident also sparked a brief altercation on the pitch. Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli attempted to push Bradley off the field while he was down and threw the ball at him in an effort to resume play. The Brazil international later apologized publicly and privately for his actions, which saw him and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate receive yellow cards for their involvement.
Bradley’s injury means he will miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off tie with Italy in March, and his participation in the tournament itself is now in serious doubt if his country qualifies.
Liverpool will now have to manage without their promising right-back for the remainder of the domestic campaign, as Bradley begins his recovery from surgery.
