Jurgen Klopp made feelings clear on Gabriel Martinelli before Conor Bradley incident

Gabriel Martinelli has faced criticism for his behaviour towards injured Conor Bradley during injury time in Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Arsenal, with Roy Keane calling it 'disgraceful'

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp(Image: Getty)

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli has come under fire from fans and pundits alike for his conduct towards injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during the closing stages of their 0-0 draw. However, it's worth noting that the Brazilian was once highly praised by former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Gunners played host to the reigning champions on Thursday evening in a tightly contested match. As injury time loomed, the ball was launched into Liverpool's half where Bradley cleared it, but seemed to twist his knee upon landing awkwardly.

Bradley crumpled to the ground in pain, just inside the pitch. Martinelli, who had been pursuing Bradley prior to his clearance, was prevented from taking a throw-in and appeared aggrieved. The Brazilian winger then dropped the ball onto Bradley before pushing him off the pitch.

This ignited a melee between both teams before Bradley was carried off on a stretcher. Martinelli was shown a yellow card for his actions, but has since been heavily criticised by fans and pundits for his treatment of Bradley.

This incident comes six years after the now 24 year old was lauded as a prodigious talent by ex-Liverpool boss Klopp.

In 2019, Arsenal and Liverpool faced off in an explosive Carabao Cup fourth-round tie. The game ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw, with Klopp's side eventually advancing via a penalty shootout.

Martinelli netted twice in the first half during this cup defeat, going up against Sepp van den Berg, who now plays for Brentford. After the match, Klopp was full of admiration for the opposition.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai confront Gabriel Martinelli(Image: Getty)

"He (Van den Berg) played an incredible game," Klopp told Liverpool's club website. "That's really difficult to deal with these guys. Martinelli's pretty much the same age but he's a talent of the century. He's an incredible striker, so it's really difficult.

"Then you have Mesut Ozil around and (Joe) Willock right, who scored by the way a really nice one, so a team like Arsenal in a counter-attacking mood – we keep them deep, play around them, we lose the ball and then it's really difficult."

Seven years on, Martinelli is unlikely to be in Liverpool fans' good graces. However, current boss Arne Slot took a measured approach when questioned about the distasteful incident.

He said: "I don't know Gabriel Martinelli, but he comes across as a nice guy. I think the problem for him - and it's a problem in general in football - is that there is so much time-wasting and players pretending that they are injured in the final parts of the game."

Conor Bradley leaves the pitch on a stretcher(Image: Getty)

Martinelli subsequently issued an apology on social media for his behaviour towards Bradley, who appeared to sustain a significant injury. He 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 the reaction. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."

However, former Manchester United star Roy Keane didn't mince his words in his post-match analysis for Sky Sports, labelling Martinelli's actions as disgraceful. He commented: "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. Not good stuff that."