A Liverpool star has reportedly been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, but his replacement may have already been identified.
Last time out, Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates, which left Arne Slot’s side fourth in the Premier League after 21 fixtures.
The fixture was overshadowed by the fact that right-back Conor Bradley sustained a non-contact injury while clearing a loose ball, which resulted in him being stretchered off the pitch.
Of course, shortly after Bradley fell to the ground, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli dropped the ball on him before pushing him off the pitch, an action which was heavily criticised by fans and pundits, including Gary Neville, who branded the Brazilians behaviour as “idiotic”.
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"I'm surprised one of the Liverpool players hasn't gone over and had a right pop at him," Neville said on commentary.
“I'm actually fuming with Martinelli. Honestly, I don't know how Liverpool players didn't go over and absolutely whack him to be honest with you."
Martinelli later released a statement in which he apologised to the right-back.
The Northern Irishman has since been ruled out for the rest of the season and will undergo surgery in the coming days to repair bone and ligament damage, although it is not thought to be an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Bradley will also miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Italy in March.
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So, who could replace him, and will Liverpool enter the transfer market as a result?
Currently, the Reds are not linked with a right-back, however, will now be left short in the position with Jeremie Frimpong the only right-back currently available to Slot.
Usual centre-back Joe Gomez can also fill in as a makeshift full-back, but the solution may already be at the club.
Bradley’s unfortunate injury could provide an opportunity for 22-year-old right-back Calvin Ramsay, who has featured just once so far this term, in the League Cup defeat against Crystal Palace.
The Scotland international joined Liverpool during Jurgen Klopp’s reign in 2022 and has since been loaned to Preston, Bolton, Wigan, and Kilmarnock without really threatening to break into the first-team squad at Anfield.
Despite making three senior appearances for Liverpool, none of these have been in the Premier League.
Following the 3-0 League Cup defeat against Palace in October, Slot was keen to highlight the Scot's positive performance despite the result.
"I think Calvin had a very, very decent performance — calm on the ball," Slot said.
"He played with composure.
"A decent-to-good game for him. And I said also afterwards, if you make your debut after a 3-0 loss, you might feel very, very disappointed."
Topics: Injury, Premier League, Football, Arne Slot
Luke Davies