Liverpool’s trip to face Arsenal went better than many would have predicted, but the late incident between Gabriel Martinelli and Conor Bradley has overshadowed a solid performance.
With the clock winding down on a goalless draw at the Emirates, Martinelli pushed a badly injured Bradley off the pitch, sparking a tense reaction from players and fans alike.
Right after the game, Arne Slot was asked about it, and his take is likely not the popular one amongst the travelling Liverpool support.
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In fact, it’s the exact opposite of what most fans and pundits thought.
Gabriel Martinelli appeals while Liverpool's Conor Bradley sits injured during the Premier League match between the two teams at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Arne Slot justifies Gabriel Martinelli reaction to Conor Bradley
With just a couple of minutes to play, Bradley landed awkwardly on his knee and went to ground in visible pain.
Arsenal’s Brazilian winger, who had been kept quiet for most of the 90 minutes, assumed the Liverpool right-back was trying to run down the clock.
Slot shows understanding, saying in his post-match press conference: “I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli but he comes across as a nice guy.
“The problem for him, and it’s a problem in general in football, is that there is so much time-wasting in the final parts of games that sometimes you can be annoyed when you want to score a goal and you feel a player is pretending to be injured.
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“I’m 100 per cent sure if he knew what the injury might be, he wouldn’t do that.”
Thoughts on Gabriel Martinelli pushing the injured Conor Bradley? 😡
Martinelli threw the ball at the injured right-back before pushing him, and he wasn’t even sent off!
Gabriel Martinelli during Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Painting it as a heat-of-the-moment reaction is all well and good, but from an onlooker’s perspective, it was quite obvious that Bradley was genuinely hurt.
On top of that, Liverpool dominated Arsenal in the second half and if anyone was limping to the finish line, it was the league leaders. Slot is giving the player the benefit of the doubt, but many fans will feel he should have had a stronger reaction.
Jason Cundy has a different view on Gabriel Martinelli entirely
The morning after the stalemate, former Chelsea player Jason Cundy appeared on talkSPORT with a much different stance than the one offered by Slot.
He said: “I thought it was a disgrace for Martinelli. Honestly, that is so unnecessary. I know what he’s thinking. He thinks that Bradley’s wasting time. It’s a red card, by the way. He should have – it’s two yellows.
“He throws the ball at him, and then he tries to manhandle him off the pitch. The boy’s career could be in the balance. Absolutely disgusting, disgusting from Martinelli. Classless right, absolutely classless, and the Liverpool players – I saw Konate get involved.
Conor Bradley could be out for a LONG time. Who is your ideal replacement? 🤕
Should Liverpool sign a right-back in January, or rely on the injury-prone Gomez as cover?
Conor Bradley and Leandro Trossard during Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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“Honestly, if I was a Liverpool fan there, I would be absolutely raging.”
That is likely the more popular stance.
Bradley left Arsenal on crutches. Seeing him shoved like that while on the ground in agony left a sour taste after a relatively enjoyable midweek Premier League clash.
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