Peter Crouch rages at Gabriel Martinelli after Liverpool game — 'Not what we do'

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch was not happy with Gabriel Martinelli after the Arsenal forward gave a shove to Conor Bradley while the Reds man was down injured

TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch.(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Liverpool is facing an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury that Conor Bradley suffered against Arsenal with the Northern Ireland captain stretchered off in stoppage time.

Arne Slot was unable to disclose how bad the issue was at the final whistle because it had only just happened. That Bradley was carried off the field, though, was not a good sign, the Liverpool head coach admitted.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli — believing that Bradley was time-wasting — caused a melee when he gave the full-back a shove when he was down on the floor. The Brazilian winger has since apologized.

"What he did was wrong," former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch told Paddy Power. "He just can’t have known he was badly injured. Everyone else could see the minute he went down, you knew it was a bad one.

"Moving [Bradley] off, he could’ve put him out for longer. Obviously terrible, I didn’t like to see it, and I’m glad he’s apologized, but I hope that’s the end of it now.

"I think he just assumed Bradley was play-acting. It did leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth and wasn’t a good thing to do to a lad who’s already been out seriously injured previously. That’s not what we do as professionals."

Gabriel Martinelli reacts as Conor Bradley lies injured during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Martinelli has been roundly criticized for the incident, though he posted on social media to confirm that he has spoken with Bradley and wished him well.

Virgil van Dijk said it wasn't a good look for the Brazilian, with his Liverpool teammates incensed by Martinelli's action.

"You can’t push him off the pitch. You cannot do that, you idiot," Gary Neville said on Sky Sports commentary. "That’s so poor. I’m surprised the Liverpool players haven’t gone over and had a right pop at him.

"I think an apology is needed. He’s stretchered off, Conor Bradley, and it’s a sad sight. Someone who’s had injuries, he’s got his hands over his face.

"I’m actually fuming with Martinelli. Honestly, I don’t know how the Liverpool players didn’t go over and absolutely whack him. Take a red card, absolutely disgraceful that."

"Conor and I have messaged and I've already apologized to him," Martinelli announced in an Instagram story. "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."