Liverpool endured a torrid afternoon at Anfield, with an injury to Conor Bradley only compounding the misery of defeat to Crystal Palace. In the end, the only positive of the day came at the Emirates, where Arsenal also dropped three points.
Things do feel slightly better for Liverpool in light of the Arsenal loss, although Manchester City was the big winner of the day. But Jürgen Klopp’s hopes of turning his side’s form around were potentially dented by the injury to Bradley.
In one sense, it’s well-timed, with Trent Alexander-Arnold fit enough to replace him for most of the second half. But Klopp had only just been talking about the importance of using everyone for the remainder of the season.
Straight after the game, Klopp was unsure on the severity of the injury. However, he did provide a partially positive update.
“How it is on these days, something like that happens as well. Conor overstretched his foot slightly. First moment, and what Conor felt, didn’t look great.
“Now I heard a little bit like it’s settled quickly, but I don’t know. Is the ligament damaged or not? I don’t know.
“So we will get this information tomorrow or Tuesday. It was very painful for him, so that’s not cool.”
Settling quickly can only be a good sign, although the mention of the ‘L-word’ is a little alarming. Hopefully Bradley can come back quickly as Liverpool seeks to return to winning ways, with the return leg against Atalanta the next test.
Klopp’s men may still just about have things to fight for this season, but it won’t stop attentions turning to the summer. In truth, Michael Edwards and incoming sporting director Richard Hughes are paid to think ahead regardless of what’s still at stake on the pitch.
