THE SUN 🔵 Liverpool star Conor Bradley ruled out for rest of season with knee injury and set for surgery after Martinelli row

CONOR BRADLEY has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a significant knee injury.

The Liverpool full-back, 22, went down in the closing stages of his side’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal in mid-week after appearing to twist awkwardly.

Despite the Northern Ireland international clearly appearing to be seriously hurt, Gunners substitute Gabriel Martinelli seemed to take issue with him.

First the Brazilian dropped the ball on him as he lay prone on the turf.

He then bizarrely tried to roll him off the pitch, much to the fury of Bradley’s team-mates.

Martinelli was booked for his actions, while Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was also yellow carded for his role in the subsequent ruckus.

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In a club statement, Liverpool have confirmed that Bradley’s knee injury is “significant” – and that he will undergo surgery next week.

While the Reds refused to put a time frame on the full-back’s return, it is understood that he will not play again this season.

Following Thursday night’s match, Bradley left the Emirates on crutches.

While commentating for Sky Sports, Gary Neville ripped into Martinelli’s reaction.

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The former Manchester United star said: “You can’t push him off the pitch!

“You cannot do that. That is so poor. I think an apology is needed.

“Bradley is being stretchered off. I’m fuming with Martinelli to be honest. Disgraceful.

“I’m surprised a Liverpool player hasn’t gone over and whacked Martinelli there!”

Martinelli did later apologise for his actions on social media.

The Brazilian, 24, wrote on Instagram: “Conor and I have messaged and I’ve already apologised to him.

“I really didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment.

“I want to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery.”

‘IT DOESN’T LOOK GREAT ON MARTINELLI’

Speaking after the match, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said: “It doesn’t look great and it doesn’t look great on Martinelli either.

“We are focusing on Conor now. He will have medical tests coming up in the next 24 hours and we will have to adapt.

“Everyone was unhappy at that moment. It wasn’t a couple of players, but everyone, and rightly so because Conor was on the pitch and to be pushing him off the pitch is not really a good sight.

“It is pretty obvious for you guys to analyse it from clips. For us, it happened pretty quickly.

“The long ball came, Conor challenged it, fell down on the pitch and obviously Martinelli pushed him off the pitch and our players reacted.

“We all came together. And we had no clue what really happened.”

Working for Sky Sports as a pundit, Roy Keane also chimed in.

‘AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE’

The Irishman said: “I didn’t like it at all. It happened to me once.

“I was badly injured and a player stood over me. It’s not good. We know football, the player is a good lad.

“Throwing the ball at him, standing over him and getting a little knee on him. He tries to force him off.

“That behaviour is an absolute disgrace. He’s a good boy to roll over himself.

“Hopefully, Martinelli will have a look at it and hopefully he’ll apologise for it. Not good stuff that.”

Bradley has made 15 Premier League appearances this season, and 21 in all competitions.

The academy graduate began the season with a hamstring injury, while he was sidelined with another muscular issue in November.

Bradley has otherwise cemented himself as a regular at right-back, following the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer.