LIVERPOOL DEFENDER BRADLEY TO MISS REST OF SEASON DUE TO KNEE INJURY
Conor Bradley, a defender for Liverpool, suffered a serious knee injury during Thursday's goalless draw at Arsenal and will miss the remainder of the season.
Bradley does not have an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but he will have surgery in the next several days to address bone and ligament damage
Bradley will miss Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off match against Italy in March, but if Michael O'Neill's team makes it through the play-offs, it's unclear if he will be well in time for this summer's World Cup. There is "no timeframe being placed" on the 22-year-old's return, according to Liverpool.
Bradley's injury was confirmed as Gabriel Martinelli, an Arsenal attacker, shoved the defender as he lay hurt on the ground before being carried away on a stretcher.
After the stoppage-time drama, referee Anthony Taylor booked Martinelli. The winger received harsh criticism for his actions, which infuriated Liverpool's players. However, the Brazilian, who expressed regret for his behaviour on social media following the game, will not face additional sanctions from the Football Association because the issue was deemed resolved as Taylor perceived it at the time.
Martinelli made his comeback on Sunday as Arsenal defeated Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup third round. Mikel Arteta commended Arne Slot's handling of the situation after the game, saying that the striker was not at fault.I have to admit that I thought Arne Slot's post-game remarks were excellent. He is aware of the players' opinions of themselves and their teammates.
"That person is really knowledgeable about the game and how you respond to it. There was no desire to harm or disrespect a player. Despite missing several games due to a hamstring issue, Bradley had made 21 appearances this season.
As a backup, Reds head coach Arne Slot has Jeremie Frimpong, who has struggled with injuries since signing from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, and Joe Gomez, who has recently recovered from a hamstring injury. However, neither of these players can be regarded as a true right-back.
Roy Keane of Sky Sports called Martinelli's conduct "an absolute disgrace" in his criticism. It's not good. He remarked, "We know football, the player is a good lad, but tossing the ball at him, standing over him, and giving him a quick knee. He makes an effort to push him away. That kind of behaviour is just shameful. He rolls over himself rather nicely. I'm hoping Martinelli will check into it and offer an apology. That is not good stuff.
"It's disappointing to see," Daniel Sturridge continued. As a football player, you must be courteous despite your passion, want to win, and desire to support your teammates. It's never pleasant to be hurt. Martinelli thinks it's a waste of time, but you have to be self-aware enough to recognise that he's depressed. You've been there before. It's impolite. It's most likely worse than being disrespectful.
"The referee can handle Martinelli more easily if the players don't interfere. Everything else intensifies once everyone is involved. In many ways, they have helped Martinelli stay on the pitch, but I believe what he does is diluted."
Regarding whether Martinelli ought to have been punished retroactively: "I don't think so." For his behaviour, he received a yellow card. The referee will face a different situation if the players leave it to him. He has to check everyone else when they all climb in. "I think there's not quite enough there for it to be a red card."