Everybody knew it was coming. Even if it was only confirmed yesterday, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit from his boyhood club Liverpool, has been obvious for months; you’d have to have been living under a rock for the past nine months to have been shocked by the news.
Sporting director Richard Hughes had been battling hard to keep the revolutionary full-back on Merseyside since before even his first day in the job. However, no matter how hard he and the Liverpool hierarchy tried, Alexander-Arnold’s mind was made up; he wants a new challenge.
After months of negotiations, discussions were formally ended over a new deal back in March. After 20 years at the club, the Scouser in Liverpool’s team has decided to start packing his bags. He wants change.
Now, Reds fans who are engulfed in an emotional bubble may try to persuade you into thinking that Alexander-Arnold is not a huge loss, but deep down, they won’t even believe their own claims.
The 26-year-old has been fundamental to Liverpool’s success over the past seven years, both under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. He has re-defined the right-back role – there is nobody else like him in world football – so it’s no surprise that Real Madrid have been desperate to add him to their squad of superstars.
So, the question is, how do you replace the irreplaceable? I mean, you can’t, but it’s something Hughes and his staff have to do.
On Monday, Trent Alexander-Arnold announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season
The Scouser ends his 20-year association with the club, having won two Premier League titles and a Champions League among other prizes
Sporting director Richard Hughes (left) and Arne Slot (right) have a job on their hands to replace Alexander-Arnold
Can Conor Bradley step-up?
Liverpool may already have the answer within their ranks. It feels almost inevitable that Conor Bradley will be asked to step into the shoes of Alexander-Arnold next season; he has already been doing it for the past 18 months.
The Northern Irishman broke into the Liverpool first-team midway through Klopp’s final season, while Alexander-Arnold was out injured. He instantly impressed with his directness going forward, and his aggressiveness in the defensive department.
However, while Reds fans love Bradley – mainly because of his crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappe during a 2-0 win over Real Madrid in November – his injury problems have left lingering doubts over whether he is ready to make the step up.
The 21-year-old has made 27 appearances in all competitions this term, however, he plays just an average of 46 minutes per game.
Yes, Bradley has delivered moments of brilliance in a Liverpool shirt, but we haven’t truly seen enough evidence as to whether he is ready to be Slot’s No 1 right-back. How can you make a judgement after so little game time?
That being said, the sample size we have been given has shown that Bradley is capable of taking the mantle.
He is a completely different style of right-back from Alexander-Arnold. You won’t see those magical cross-field passes that leave you with your jaw on the floor; no, Bradley is more of a classic full-back.
The youngster loves an overlap, he is always available down the line to whip in a cross. He may only have three assists, but with more consistent gametime, you will see that number shoot up toward double figures.
Many see Conor Bradley as the heir to the right-back position when Alexander-Arnold leaves
Liverpool fans warmed to Bradley after his crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappe during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid in November
Bradley’s athleticism is his USP; he will bomb forward on marauding runs, while he also has the agility to race back. You could argue that he is far better suited to Slot’s Liverpool side than Alexander-Arnold is.
Time to sign a proven replacement?
With Bradley relatively inexperienced at the top level, it would be rather imprudent for Liverpool not to dip into the market and buy a right-back to challenge the Northern Irishman for the starting spot.
The full-back pool isn’t exactly filled to the brim with talent currently; Liverpool won’t have an Argos-sized catalogue of proven players to choose from. That’s not to say there aren’t some top talents out there, though.
So, who are the best options out there for Slot and Co?
The first one that springs to mind is Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, a player who has been heavily linked with Liverpool since it was reported that Alexander-Arnold was destined for Madrid.
If you think Bradley is quick and direct, Frimpong is a whole new kettle of fish. The Dutchman has wheels for days; he has weaponised his speed, in turn making him one of the most dangerous full-backs in the world.
Ordinarily utilised as a wing-back in Xabi Alonso’s system, the Dutchman netted nine goals and provided seven assists in Leverkusen’s maiden Bundesliga title triumph last campaign.
In his 47 appearances in all competitions this campaign, he hasn’t quite notched up the same mesmerising figures, but his four goals and nine assists are still more than Alexander-Arnold’s 11 goals involvements for the Reds.
However, that being said, looking at Sofascore’s statistics, you can see that he is far less involved in build-up play, only making 1.3 final third entries per game, compared to Alexander-Arnold’s 10.9.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been heavily linked to a move to Merseyside
Frimpong played a key part in Leverkusen’s maiden Bundesliga title triumph last campaign
Tottenham Pedro Porro has notched up two more assists than Alexander-Arnold this campaign
The only right-back that really comes close to Liverpool’s departing hero in that regard is Pedro Porro. The Tottenham star makes 8.5 entries into the final third each game, and has only created two fewer big chances than Alexander-Arnold this season, with 13.
The Spaniard has also notched up more assists in all competitions than the England international, providing nine in what has been a rancid Spurs season, even if they do look likely to reach the Europa League final.
Imagine Porro with Liverpool’s frontline, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that tally rise even further. Well, that does depend on whether the Reds dip into the market for a striker, which feels inevitable due to the form of Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Another ready-made option that Liverpool could be interested in is Achraf Hakimi. I mean, why wouldn’t you be interested in the best right-back in the world when you need to fill that position?
The PSG man has been on fire this season, playing a key role in Luis Enrique’s transformation of the Ligue 1 champions.
Hakimi has the highest Sofascore rating of any right-back out there with 7.65, and it’s easy to see why. He has the most goal involvements with 18, has created the most big chances (18), and even makes more key passes per game (2.2) than Alexander-Arnold.
I’m pretty sure the majority of Europe’s elite would snap Hakimi up in a heartbeat, but the thought of the Morocco international leaving Paris seems unlikely.
PSG are on the cusp of a Champions League final, after a semi-final first-leg victory over Arsenal, and you could argue that they are the best team on the continent right now. Why leave that?
Achraf Hakimi is arguably the world’s best right-back right now, and Liverpool would need to pay big money to pry him away from PSG
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (left) and Jonathan Clauss (right) are more experienced options
Also, Liverpool would have to break the bank to bring Hakimi in, and with other positions higher up on Slot’s list, I can hardly imagine he would rinse his budget on the Moroccan.
And with that being said, two cheaper options would be Nice’s Jonathan Clauss and Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Out of the two, Clauss certainly stands out with his nine assists and 17 big chances created.
However, Liverpool’s recruitment policy deems it improbable that the pair will be considered. Their ages are the problem with Clauss, 32 years of age, and Di Lorenzo, 31; the champions will more than likely want to bring in a young star that can play a key role in their side for many years to come.
Up-and-coming options
That leads me perfectly onto my next segment; promising youngsters that would fit the Liverpool model.
With Michael Edwards back at the club overseeing all football operations, you won’t see any players over the age of 30 signed by the club. That’s just not how he rolls.
The only player already an elite-level player I can remember Edwards signing during his reign as sporting director was Thiago from Bayern Munich. Many were surprised when he walked through the door as a 29-year-old, but his ridiculous quality made him more of a luxury player for the team, rather than a necessity.
Anyway, there are three young right-backs that could just be on Liverpool’s radar.
The best fit would seem to be Monaco’s Vanderson. The 23-year-old has developed into one of Ligue 1’s top talents this season, coming on leaps and bounds since joining in 2022.
FSG chief executive Michael Edwards’ transfer policy is usually to sign emerging talents
Monaco’s Vanderson (centre) has been lighting up Ligue 1 on the right flank this season
If Arne Slot wants a Premier League-proven youngster, he could take a look at Djed Spence
The Brazilians’ attacking numbers are far from sensational, but they are still promising. He has scored twice in all competitions this campaign, while accruing five assists; both better numbers than Bradley.
Vanderson has also made more key passes per game (0.97), fashioned more big chances (9), and made nearly triple the final third entries per game (6.08) than Liverpool’s current back-up right-back.
And the thing is, Vanderson is actually better known for his defensive skill set. Like Bradley, he is aggressive when duelling with rival wingers and is brilliant in one-on-one situations, often wrestling the ball off of his opponent.
If Slot wants a young, hungry, and Premier League-proven right-back, though, then Djed Spence could be an option.
It has taken Spence a while to muzzle his way into Ange Postecoglou’s plans at Tottenham, but with the north London sides’ staggering injury list this campaign, he was given a shot and took it.
Spence has almost become undroppable at times for Spurs, becoming a shining light in a dark, dark league campaign. He can play on both the right and left flanks, and is more than comfortable attacking and defending.
I remember Spence doing a job on Mohamed Salah in the first leg of Spurs’ Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool, keeping a clean sheet and limiting the Egyptian to few chances. The less said about the second leg, the better, though.
The statistic that pops out to me when it comes to Spence is how accurate his crosses are. He is the pick of the bunch with 32 per cent, and is eight per cent more accurate than Alexander-Arnold.
22-year-old Guela Doue has thrived under the leadership of Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg
Nevertheless, his attacking numbers need improving if he wants to make the step up to the next level, and it’s tough to imagine Tottenham allowing him to leave to another ‘Big Six’ club.
A player that wouldn’t have that conundrum, however, is Guela Doue, who is the older brother of PSG superstar Desire.
The 22-year-old has thrived under Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg this season, and his style would suit Liverpool like a duck to water.
Doue is extremely progressive with the ball, making 8.59 final third entries per game – the Ivory Coast international loves driving his side forward.
With the ability to play on the right of a back three, and as a wing-back, Doue’s versatility is a strength that could benefit the Reds, as they are also in the market for a centre-back.
No matter how many names I rattle out, though, we all know that Alexander-Arnold is going to be impossible to replace. The market is limited, and Slot can forget about trying to find anybody comparable to the Premier League great.
