Virgil van Dijk reveals Liverpool squad 'rightly unhappy' at Gabriel Martinelli for Conor Bradley push | OneFootball

Arsenal forward sparked outrage with “shameful” push on injured defender

An angry Virgil van Dijk has revealed every Liverpool player was “rightly unhappy” with Gabriel Martinelli for his shove on Conor Bradley.

Martinelli felt Bradley was time-wasting by lying prone on the pitch, which ensured the match would be paused, so he attempted to forcefully move him and allow the game to continue.

A melee between players from both teams ensued, and Martinelli was booked, before Bradley was stretchered from the field. The Liverpool defender was later seen on crutches and wearing a knee brace. He is due to have scans but appears set for a lengthy period out of action.

Everyone was unhappy ... not just a couple of players, but everyone, and rightly so

Virgil van Dijk

Martinelli’s actions were immediately condemned, with Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville calling him an “idiot” and commentator Peter Drury feeling Martinelli had “not read the room”. The forward has since apologised to Bradley and will face no further action from the Football Association.

Liverpool captain Van Dijk says he and his team-mates were dismayed by Martinelli’s behaviour.

“Our thoughts are with Conor, first and foremost. Hopefully it is not the worst, but it doesn’t look great.

“The long ball came, Conor is challenging for it, falls down on the pitch and obviously Martinelli pushes him off the pitch and our players reacted. We all came together.

“We had no clue what really happened, but it doesn’t look great, and it doesn’t look great on Martinelli either. He will have medical tests coming up in the next 24 hours.”

Asked how many Liverpool players were unhappy with Martinelli, Van Dijk replied: “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.”