Liverpool's Northern Irish defender #12 Conor Bradley is stretchered off the pitch injured during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 8, 2026placeholder image
Liverpool's Northern Irish defender #12 Conor Bradley is stretchered off the pitch injured during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 8, 2026 | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is facing the prospect of a serious injury after being stretched off against Arsenal on Thursday night
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley was carried off the pitch on Thursday night as he appeared to sustain a serious knee injury in the late stages of a 0-0 draw with Arsenal in North London.
The Northern Ireland international fell awkwardly when clearing the ball and needed treatment before being taken off on a stretcher. The defender had produced an impressive performance after enjoying a consistent run back in the starting XI.
The Castlederg-born star has struggled with injury problems this campaign but the fresh concern is a cruel set-back as it appears to be a serious issue.
Slot gave an update on the player after the game, and said: “I don’t know yet but he didn’t do great if you have to go off on a stretcher. When we see the video, we both think probably the same. We have to wait on the scans if it’s that bad or maybe he can play on Monday [against Barnsley].”
The way that Bradley fell and needed assistance off the pitch, there are fears that he has sustained a ligament injury. This is not yet confirmed but with different knee ligament injuries that can be sustained, we look at the recovery time for each one.
If Bradley has suffered an MCL injury, he may only be out for around two to four weeks and would not need surgery. A more serious MCL issue could rule him out for around two months but that is a recovery timeframe that would still allow him to play again this season.
For an ACL injury, a mild tear would result in around two to three months out but if surgery is required then Bradley would be facing between six months to a year out. Fellow Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is currently out with an ACL injury and is not due back until next season after sustaining the injury in late September.
For a PCL injury, a mild tear would not rule Bradley out long-term but anything that requires surgery could rule him out for up to six months.
There is the possibility that Bradley could have injured more than one ligament. It would not increase his recovery time but could mean more than one operation and likely delay his ability to get back to his best form.
The defender will undergo scans, as the Reds hope for the best outcome.
Slot is already without a number of players due to injury problems with Alexander Isak breaking his leg last month while Wataru Endo and Hugo Ekitike also missed the trip to the Gunners because of injury.
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