Since being handed his Liverpool debut by Jurgen Klopp again in 2016 when he was simply 18 years previous, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been an integral determine for the Reds.
He is performed over 300 instances in complete, principally at right-back, and has wowed followers together with his spectacular attacking output, scoring 19 targets and producing an astonishing 83 assists.
His attacking prowess from the appropriate flank has helped Liverpool elevate practically each main trophy doable, together with the Champions League and the Premier League.
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“An impressive expertise and he has become a world-class soccer participant,” Klopp mentioned of Alexander-Arnold simply earlier than he left the membership on the finish of final season.
“He’s one folks will discuss 20, 30, 40 years,” the German added.
Sadly for Liverpool followers, a future with out their star right-back might quickly be on the playing cards. The Englishman is within the last 12 months of his contract at Anfield and has been broadly tipped to depart the membership to be a part of Actual Madrid in the summertime.
Ought to that occur, listed below are 5 gamers the Reds might flip to as a alternative for his or her iconic academy graduate.
1
Denzel Dumfries
Inter
In keeping with CaughtOffside, Liverpool have already discovered a alternative for Alexander-Arnold.
It has been claimed that the Reds have an settlement in place to deliver Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries to Anfield in the summertime. Dumfries is out of contract on the finish of the season, which means he might arrive at Merseyside on a free switch.
Final season, the 28-year-old Dutchman, who joined Inter in 2021 from PSV, racked up 4 targets and 6 assists in 36 appearances for Inter, serving to them elevate the Serie A title.
Dumfries has additionally been linked with Manchester United and Aston Villa, each of whom reportedly tried and didn’t land him in the summertime switch window.
2
Jeremie Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen
One other Dutch right-back who has been on Liverpool’s radar is Jeremie Frimpong, in line with the Liverpool Echo.
Earlier this 12 months, it was mentioned that the Reds have been one in all various golf equipment holding tabs on the Bayer Leverkusen star, who was a key participant for Xabi Alonso’s facet as they lifted the Bundesliga title for the primary time of their 120-year historical past final time period.
Like Alexander-Arnold, Frimpong is an attack-minded full-back. Final season, he hit 14 targets and produced 12 assists in all competitions.
Nonetheless, Frimpong normally performs for granted wing-back, which might pose a difficulty for Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot, who sometimes performs with a standard again 4.
3
Vanderson
Monaco
Whereas Frimpong and Dumfries may be thought of extra attacking full-backs, AS Monaco’s Vanderson is kind of the other.
Although he does nab the occasional aim or help, the Brazilian is a very excellent defender. In keeping with FBref, he ranks within the 99th percentile for tackles and the 97th for interceptions when in comparison with his positional friends in Europe’s prime 5 leagues.
And in line with experiences in Spain, the 23-year-old, who just lately made his senior debut for Brazil, is likely one of the names Liverpool are contemplating as a potential alternative for Alexander-Arnold.
Talking concerning the participant throughout the begin of his second season at Monaco in September 2022, former Monaco boss Philippe Clemente described him as “very bold and an enormous perfectionist”.
“Every single day he desires to be higher than the final,” Clemente mentioned.
4
Pedro Porro
Tottenham Hotspur
In keeping with more moderen experiences elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro is “proper on the prime” of Liverpool’s listing of potential Alexander-Arnold replacements.
Porro, 25, has been one of many Premier League’s excellent full-backs over the previous two seasons, impressing together with his defensive stability, good wing play and eye for aim – the latter of which was greatest demonstrated by his thumping long-range strike in opposition to Burnley, which received Spurs’ Purpose of the Season award final 12 months.
Of Liverpool’s proposed right-back targets, Porro is arguably essentially the most just like Alexander-Arnold. Each gamers are wonderful progressive passers, boast distinctive outputs within the last third and are extraordinarily snug in possession.
Nonetheless, what’s most fascinating about Liverpool’s hyperlinks with Porro is that the Spaniard and Alexander-Arnold are each regarded as wished by Actual Madrid. Certainly, Porro has not been shy about his need to play for Los Blancos at some point.
So if Madrid do transfer for Alexander-Arnold, do Liverpool followers actually need to then usher in a participant who they know will nonetheless be dreaming of a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu himself? Possibly not.
5
Conor Bradley
Liverpool
In life, typically you discover that the factor you have been in search of has been proper in entrance of you all alongside. For Liverpool, that factor might be Conor Bradley.
Like Alexander-Arnold, Bradley got here by means of Liverpool’s academy and was handed his first-team debut by Klopp in January 2024. Since then, he is gone from power to power, filling in for the England ace on various events, together with within the Carabao Cup last win over Chelsea.
Bradley, whereas nowhere close to as attack-minded as his teammate, is a tenacious tackler and a superb header of the ball. He presents the type of defensive solidity that Alexander-Arnold has usually been criticised for throughout his Liverpool profession.
Final season, for instance, albeit inside far fewer minutes, Bradley went the entire season with out making an error – which FBref defines as a mistake resulting in a shot. Alexander-Arnold made 5 of these, which was essentially the most of any participant in Liverpool’s squad.
Bradley’s not glamorous, however he is already proven himself to be a strong participant when known as upon, and at simply 21 years of age, there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment. Plus, he would not value the Reds a penny, which is all the time a bonus.
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson thinks the Northern Eire worldwide is the person for the job. “I believe Conor Bradley has the makings of an impressive full-back if Trent have been to depart,” he just lately advised SportsCasting. “He’s proven that he’s prepared to begin extra for the primary workforce and already has various good shows to level to.”
