Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 11 January 2026 14:22, UK

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is set for an extended lay-off after scans revealed damage to his knee following Thursday’s draw with Arsenal.

Arsenal drew 0-0 with Liverpool, although all of the headlines seemed to focus on a moment in stoppage time.

As the Gunners chased a winner, Bradley went down on the touchline after appearing to injure his knee in an awkward landing.

Gabriel Martinelli pushed Bradley off the pitch, with the Arsenal man clearly under the impression that the defender was feigning injury in an attempt to waste time.

In the immediate aftermath of the game, Martinelli was slammed for his actions against Liverpool, and the 24-year-old has since apologised for the moment.

Liverpool confirm Conor Bradley injury blow

Bradley left the Emirates Stadium on crutches after Thursday’s game, and Arne Slot confirmed that he was fearing the worst.

The right-back already missed a chunk of this season with a muscle injury, and Liverpool‘s defensive depth is terrible as it is.

Slot’s only other natural right-back, Jeremie Frimpong, has spent much of the season out injured and has not overly impressed when he has been available.

Joe Gomez has also been known to fill in there, but given Giovanni Leoni‘s absence, the 28-year-old will likely be protected to cover for the two senior centre-backs Liverpool have available.

Slot’s worst fears have now become reality, the Reds confirmed on Sunday. “Bradley has sustained a significant knee injury,” the club wrote in a statement.

“Bradley will undergo surgery in the coming days and then begin a period of rehabilitation at the AXA Training Centre.”

Various sources have since confirmed that the defender will miss the rest of the season.

What key games will Bradley miss?

Liverpool’s chances of retaining their Premier League crown have been ruled out for some time, but Sunday’s news has posed a real threat to their aims of securing Champions League football, too.

Bradley will miss consecutive games at Anfield against Newcastle United and Manchester City at the end of January and the start of February, and the trip to Sunderland shortly after.

Slot’s side will also be without Bradley for a game against Tottenham in March, before April sees the first-ever Merseyside derby to be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Towards the end of the season, the right-back will be forced to sit and watch his team play out a run of games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa, which could ultimately prove decisive.

And that is not to mention any hopes in the FA Cup and the Champions League, which Slot will hope to keep alive. It is yet another test for Liverpool, in a season that has been jam-packed full of them.