Conor Bradley has confirmed he has undergone surgery on the knee injury that ended his season, with the Liverpool defender turning his attention to his rehabilitation after being carried off in last week’s goalless draw with Arsenal.
The Northern Ireland international, 22, suffered the injury in the closing stages at Emirates Stadium and left the pitch on a stretcher after going down near the touchline while clutching his left knee.
Bradley posted an update on Instagram following the operation and his first steps towards a lengthy recovery. “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,” he said.
“Thanks for all the support.”
Bradley now faces a race to be fit for this summer’s World Cup, should Northern Ireland qualify through the play-offs, with the defender’s absence a significant blow after a campaign in which he has become a regular presence when available.
The injury was accompanied by a late flashpoint involving Gabriel Martinelli, who apologised after the game for throwing the ball at Bradley and trying to push him off the pitch as he lay injured on the turf, believing him to be merely timewasting.
That moment became a major talking point after the match, and subsequently triggered a backlash aimed at Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, with Arsenal supporters lodging 576 complaints with Ofcom after Neville suggested Liverpool players should have “absolutely whack[ed]” Martinelli during the broadcast.
Martinelli has also been booed by the fans of the two teams Arsenal have played since.