Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is fully focused on his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on a season-ending knee injury.
Conor Bradley delivers injury message
The Northern Ireland international, 22, was carried off in closing stages of the Reds’ goalless draw at Premier League leaders Arsenal last Thursday.
No timeframe has been placed on his return to playing after suffering bone and ligament damage, but his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was unscathed.
He now faces a race to recover in time for this summer’s World Cup, should his country qualify through the play-offs.
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The Reds could now make a major signing after Conor Bradley was ruled out due to injury.
“A big blow but surgery is done so the comeback starts now,” Bradley posted on Instagram.
“It won’t be for a little while but I already can’t wait to get back playing for Liverpool and Northern Ireland. Thanks for all the support.”
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli apologised for throwing the ball at Bradley and then attempting to push him off the pitch as he lay injured on the turf at Emirates Stadium.
The right-back, who has 30 caps for Northern Ireland, has made 21 Liverpool appearances this season, having missed a number of matches with a hamstring problem.
Arne Slot drew praise from Gunners manager Mikel Arteta for his reaction to the incident.
"I must say I think the way Arne Slot spoke after the game was brilliant. Because he knows how the players feel about themselves, about the opposition and about their colleagues.
"I think it exemplifies someone who knows the game really well. He's in the opposition to make them understand everybody how you feel about them and why you react in a certain way. There was no intention whatsoever to damage a player or to no respect that player."
Slot had expressed sadness over the injury but insisted that Martinelli would not have known the severity of the issue due to players regularly "pretending they are injured in the final parts of the game".
Liverpool not panicking in the transfer market despite Bradley injury
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According to David Ornstein, the Reds will not rush into the transfer market this month to replace Bradley and fellow defender Giovanni Leoni, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier in the campaign.
FSG will invest in the defence this summer, when Ibrahima Konate is set to be out of contract, but will not be forced into a panic move, meaning Slot will be forced to stick with the options at his disposal for the remainder of the season.